Developers seeking to build a mixed‑use complex called Bayou Village East told a joint meeting of the Dickinson City Council and the Dickinson Economic Development Corporation on Wednesday that a smaller, phased project could jump‑start retail and housing growth along State Highway 517 and attract sports‑tourism traffic to the city.

Dave Funk, Dickinson’s economic development director, led the presentation and said the first phase would be about 14 acres and would include a 17,000‑square‑foot retail center, multifamily housing, restaurants and youth sports fields designed to support tournaments and rental activity. “We believe this small project will ignite phase 2,” Funk said, describing the plan as a catalyst to draw shoppers off Interstate 45 and increase year‑round retail traffic.

The developers’ pitch framed the project as sports‑tourism driven economic development. Presenters cited case studies and operator forecasts estimating millions in annual local spending and thousands of hotel room nights if the venue attracts tournaments. The team estimated phase 1 could generate roughly $213,000 a year in sales tax and produce about $88.5 million in taxable value; full build‑out of subsequent phases was described as a much larger, multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar investment that could raise annual tax collections into the low eight figures when complete.

Why it matters: Council members and the EDC were shown analyses intended to demonstrate how destination youth‑sports facilities, when operated by private tournament operators under long‑term land leases, can create steady weekend and tournament traffic that benefits restaurants, hotels and retail. Presenters emphasized the developer’s plan to use private operators rather than placing operations or maintenance on the city.

Public comments at the meeting were divided. Resident David Buchanan, whose house borders the site’s estuary, opposed placing lighted ball fields on nearby wetlands and cited flooding and property‑value concerns. “I’m totally against the project to have them ball fields over there,” Buchanan said, adding that the wetlands and flood risk make the location unsuitable.

Wes Cordell, a Dickinson resident who described frequent travel for youth sports, said his family supports the project and expects local tournaments would keep lodging and restaurant spending in Dickinson. Barbara Katzinger of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership also spoke in favor, calling the plan “sports tourism at its best” and highlighting the potential for regional visitors to inject dollars into local businesses.

Presenters said the current plan was intentionally scaled back after reviewing case studies of large public‑run complexes that failed; they emphasized relying on private operators who would sign long‑term leases and handle maintenance costs. The team projected an initial retail anchor and apartments could be in place to influence traffic counts and retail recruitment, with potential ground‑breaking for some components targeted around late 2026.

Council procedure and next steps: Meeting leaders announced an executive session to discuss specific companies, properties and contracts; presenters asked participants not to reference those specifics in public discussion. No formal council votes or approvals were recorded in the public portion of the meeting; the agenda moved to closed session and later reconvened and adjourned with no council action taken on the project during the public meeting.

Key unresolved issues noted in the meeting include floodplain/wetlands impacts at the proposed site, the long‑term maintenance and operating model (to be handled by private operators, per the developers), and the extent of public incentives or city involvement, which the presenters said would be part of later, detailed negotiations.

The presentation materials and developer comments referenced partnership interest from national retail and sports operators, potential hotel demand tied to tournaments, and a possible pediatric orthopedic clinic that had expressed interest in proximity to multi‑sport facilities. Presenters also cited comparative economic impacts from other Texas venues but said the project would start smaller and build capacity over time to limit financial risk.

The council did not take public action on the project at the meeting; an executive session was scheduled for more detailed discussions with developers and staff.