The Bryan city council changes its mind on partnering with a private developer at the new superpark.

In March, the council voted to spend up to $214,000 dollars not reserved in this year's budget to hire Stonehedge Holdings...a Houston area company that was involved in Texas A&M's new hotel and conference center and a project in north Bryan.

At this week's meeting, the council emerged from a behind closed doors meeting and without explanation unanimously voted on Buppy Simank's motion to terminate the contract. How much the city will pay Stonehedge has not been determined.

According to a city statement to WTAW News, "Negotiations with another master developer are not anticipated at this point, as the City will continue to oversee the project, utilizing landscape architects, civil engineers and contractors to build the park in multiple phases in accordance with the approved park master plan."

Also during this week's meeting, a council majority had no opposition to a financing plan for the superpark's first phase, which councilman Mike Southerland said is estimated to cost $100 million dollars.

Phase one construction is $73 million. $58.5 million is the principal on a 30 year bond issue that will be done without a public vote.

$14.5 million in cash will come from five sources. There is $8 million from capital reserves, $2 million from the oil and gas fund, $2 million from hotel occupancy taxes, $1.5 million from BTU, and $1 million from the water/wastewater fund. The financing plan also calls on deferring one year of making a payment on the principal of the bond.

Concerns from councilman Mike Southerland focused on the superpark jumping over $500 million dollars in other capital projects.

Mayor Andrew Nelson and councilman Brent Hairston promoted the economic impact of the superpark.

Hairston and Reuben Marin says infrastructure and the superpark can both be done.

Buppy Simank and Prentiss Madison had unconditional support for the superpark.

Greg Owens was absent during the superpark discussion.