Bryan council members approve loan to expand Schulan Movie Bowl Grill project coming to Midtown Park
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The Bryan City Council unanimously approved a $2 million loan for the Schulman Movie Bowl Grill coming to Midtown Park in 2025.
Construction has already begun, but city leaders say this addition to their deal will spur additional economic growth.
The new loan will ensure additions can be made to the final plans, including pickleball courts, an outdoor amphitheater, a stage, a small playground, restrooms, and a food and beverage cantina. Two Bryan residents who said they live near the park spoke to the council in opposition to the agreement. They both emphasized that the deal appears unfair to other businesses and questioned if it’s the best use of taxpayer dollars.
Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez pushed back saying in the end, the city gets the money back and then some.
“This is an expansion that we asked them to do. We’re going to get an extra $5 million worth of investment that will be taxable and will be coming back on the tax rolls in the form of sales tax. So we felt like it’s a good deal to do for the expansion of the project,” Mayor Gutierrez said.
The Schulman Movie Bowl Grill is expected to open in March 2024. The $2 million loan must be repaid within two years of receiving the funds.
