Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dickinson EDC approves MOU with Collaborate for Bayou Village Phase 2
Summary
The Dickinson Economic Development Corporation approved a memorandum of understanding with developer Collaborate to pursue development of about 54–58 acres across FM 517 known as Bayou Village Phase 2; the developer is expected to purchase the land rather than receive it as an incentive.
The Dickinson Economic Development Corporation voted to enter a memorandum of understanding with Collaborate to pursue development of Bayou Village Phase 2, a roughly 54–58 acre tract across FM 517 that abuts Westcomb Bayou.
The action, taken at the EDC meeting and approved by voice vote, followed staff remarks about the property aggregation and a presentation of expectations for future negotiations. The board moved and seconded the measure and members responded “aye”; no recorded votes in opposition were announced.
The MOU covers preliminary collaboration on a mixed-use vision for the east side corridor and establishes that any developer-led acquisition would reimburse the EDC for property the authority has purchased. “It was clearly stated … that this would the purchase of the property and any development that they would have to reimburse the EDC for the property,” a staff presenter said during the discussion.
Board members and staff said the arrangement is intended to make it easier for private developers to study and invest in a large, contiguous site by removing the immediate burden of land assembly from private parties. The EDC staff said the group had previously purchased a 14-acre parcel on FM 517 and later aggregated the additional acreage across the road; Collaborate’s interest in a second phase arose after that aggregation.
Board discussion noted the EDC’s expectation that the property would not be given away as an incentive. The developer representative, identified in the meeting as Sol Salvat Valentine with Collaborate, has signaled interest and understands that the EDC expects reimbursement for any property sold to a developer rather than the EDC transferring land as an incentive.
The board then recessed into an executive session on economic development matters under Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, citing Section 551.072 for deliberations about real property and economic development negotiations; the meeting returned to open session with no action taken from executive session.
The vote authorizes continued negotiation under the MOU and preserves the EDC’s option to seek reimbursement for land costs if a private developer proceeds with acquisition and development.
Looking ahead, staff said additional steps will include negotiating purchase terms with interested developers, finalizing any development agreements, and returning to the board for approval of specific transactions or incentive packages if requested.
