Additions of no-parking signs around Northgate highlights future outlook, increase in high-rise builds

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Development in Northgate has some students questioning some temporary and permanent headaches.

Northgate is a popular place to find students as many complexes in the area target student living.

“I love being able to walk, it’s been so nice. I don’t have to have a parking pass. I can leave class later, it’s so nice,” Freshman Talli Millican said.

But, there have also been some issues.

“When we first got here everything was there’s a whole bunch of construction going on, especially on that side too. So once that all went down it was a lot better,” Millican said.

While those headaches were temporary, KBTX received a message about some that weren’t. New no-parking signs have popped up along Cherry Street complicating some parking for nearby apartment complexes.

One resident shared concerns about not being able to bring groceries in quickly or have a spot for delivery drivers to stop. But, this is the location for a proposed high-rise that the city says triggered some changes to ensure emergency responders can access residents.

“We had this site plan application that was submitted to the city for a new high-rise 20-story building with 199 units. That’s part of that review for the fire department. We do a review to make sure there’s adequate access for that,” College Station Transportation Planning Coordinator Jason Schubert said.

Schubert says the university is growing, and with that, the city has to respond.

“We’re now talking about 20-story buildings and there’s more than one. So that’s definitely part of the growth of the university and its proximity and the Cities having to zone that area and plan that area for growth,” he said.

While some of those transitions have caused a stir, Millican says she understands that growth is for the best.

“It’s definitely growing so that’s always good, more students coming in, different places to live, better experiences, especially on Northgate. So it’s always good,” she said.

The city said nearby property owners to the parking changes were notified of the request for change before it was approved.