STATE OF THE CITY
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER STATE OF
CITY COUNCIL & CITY STAFF
Stephen E. Haynes
Mayor H.D. Jones
Councilmember Ward 1
Draco A. Miller
Councilmember Ward 4
Ed McMillian
Councilmember Ward 2
Nowowiejski
Councilmember Ward 3
CITY COUNCIL
STEPHEN E. HAYNES | H.D. JONES
MELODY NOWOWIEJSKI | WALKER WILLEY
DRACO A. MILLER | ED MCMILLIAN
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
Melody
Walker Willey
Councilmember Ward 5/Mayor Pro Tem
LEADERSHIP CHANGES
C I T Y O F B R O W N W O O D
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
PROMOTIONS & NEW ROLES
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
SALES TAX
City of Brownwood & BMDD
$7,755,270 $2,441,430
CITY OF BROWNWOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The City of Brownwood receives 1.5% of the 2% local sales tax for the city budget.
The Brownwood Municipal Development District receives .5% of the 2% local sales tax for economic development.
City of Brownwood & BMDD
BUILDING VALUATION
Annual building valuation is tracked by the City of Brownwood Development Services Department and represents, residential, commercial, and infrastructure construction inside the City limits. In 2025, the City of Brownwood Annual Building Valuation totaled $31,738,860.
Average $16,198,513
Average $33,015,360 2021 - 2025
REAL ESTATE
Residential development continues to be a priority for the City of Brownwood seeking opportunities for new multi-family and single family homes.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
REAL ESTATE STATS
APARTMENT UNITS
New Apartment units since 2017
PRESERVE ON MUSTANG RIDGE
55 duplexes
110 rental units
$20 million construction
Site work to begin first quarter 2026
Located by Brownwood Middle School
NEW HOUSING UNITS
CONTINUE TO BUILD OUT
DEVELOPMENT MIX
CONTINUE TO CREATE INVENTORY OF BUILDABLE LOTS
CAMP BOWIE EXPANSION
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
CAMP BOWIE EXPANSION
$20M DEVELOPMENT SITE IMPROVEMENTS ROADS / INFRASTRUCTURE
3-4 BARRACKS
CONTINUED INVESTMENT
COMMITMENT TO BROWNWOOD
R E I N V E S T I N G I N B R O W N W O O D
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
KOHLER | 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating 50 Years of KOHLER Brownwood.
What started with just 14 associates and 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space in rural Texas has grown by leaps and bounds in five decades. Today, the Brownwood facility spans over one million square feet with hundreds of team members under a single roof, an enduring symbol of Kohler’s commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and community partnership in Brownwood for more than five decades.
The technology, style, and architecture may have changed since 1975, but Kohler's drive to create industry-leading kitchen and bath products endures.
ANSION
Partnership with Brownwood Industrial Foundation.
Future expansion of infrastructure adjacent to the current Kohler Brownwood plant
Corporate initiated for sustainability and future growth
Multi-million dollar investment over multiple years
INVESTMENT PUBLIC WORKS
LANDFILL & RECYCLING CENTER UPDATES
ENGINEERING OF CAMP
2025 NATIONAL RETAIL OPENINGS
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Pinkie’s
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet
Seven7Brew Drive-Thru Coffee Panda Express
S COMMERCE
SHOPS ON COMMERCE
REDEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
DIPPEL MUSEUM OF THE WILD
201 CENTER AVENUE
201 CENTER AVENUE
201 CENTER AVENUE
307 FISK STREET
PROGRESSION PHOTOS: The Amethyst on Fisk, located at 307 Fisk Avenue in Downtown Brownwood, is a historic redevelopment project built in 1945 and purchased in June 2025 by Alisa Hinton. During renovation, a nearly 50-foot vintage Coca-Cola mural dating to the 1940s was uncovered, revealing a rare piece of the city’s commercial history. Scheduled for completion later this year, the project will feature an approximately 1,500-square-foot, two-story lofted commercial space and two stacked residential apartments, all available for lease, contributing to continued investment in our downtown district.
307 FISK STREET
THE FAIRWAY CLUB
305 CENTER AVENUE
THE FAIRWAY CLUB
305 CENTER AVENUE
Professional grade golf simulator experience
Food and beverage component
Opening Spring 2026
Next to Nathan’s Jewelers
Building Improvement Incentive Program
The purpose of the Building Improvement Incentive Program is to provide an incentive to business and/or property owners to encourage renovation and rehabilitation of commercial buildings in the City of Brownwood. Funding for up to $25,000 in a matching grant for the program is provided by the Brownwood Municipal Development District (BMDD).
000,000 000,000 000,000 000,000 $1,192,697 $7,5
LOOKING TO PARTNER?
CONNECT TO RESOURCES
SMALL BUSINESS CONSULTING
$25,000 FACADE GRANT
PROPERTY MATCH LISTS
BUSINESS EXPANSION & RELOCATION
HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY CORNER PROJECT
Howard Payne University’s Corner Project at Main & Austin Avenue is now underway. Constructed by Brasher & Company and targeting completion in Summer 2026.
HPU NABERS TENNIS CENTER
Construction begins this spring on HPU’s $6 million tennis facility featuring 8 courts designed for tournament hosting and a new clubhouse, setting the standard for the next generation of athletic projects to come.
PHASE I MASTER PLAN PROJECTS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
ADOPTION OF PLAN | SPRING 2024
PHASE I PROJECTS IDENTIFIED | FALL 2024
ENGINEERING & DESIGN | JAN 2025 - OCT 2026
BIDDING PHASE | NOVEMBER 2026
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS | JANUARY 2027
DOWNTOWN PLAN PHASE I PROJECTS
FOUNDERS
CROSSING
SILO PROMENADE AND COURTYARD
FISK
STREETSCAPING BAKER
STREETSCAPING
Silo Promenade and Court
Fou
Fisk & Baker Streetscaping
FOUNDERS CROSSING
FOUNDERS CROSSING
Founders Crossing is a place to arrive, meet, and move that connects Brownwood’s heritage with a downtown built for what’s next. A signature railinspired art pavilion, abstracted from the front of a locomotive, anchors the space and creates a modern “platform” for community life with a flexible event lawn, walkable hardscape, seating, shade, and infrastructure for small performances, pop-ups, and everyday gathering.
The design ties art, culture, and history together through a public art walk, rail-inspired patterns in paving and lighting, and interpretive elements that share Brownwood’s story.
The name “Founders Crossing” reflects the crossroads of this block, framed by streets (Fisk, Anderson, Chandler, and Hawkins) named for early Brownwood leaders and families where the community’s founding story intersects with a confident future. The property for Founders Crossing is being generously donated by TexasBank.
Enhancements to Baker Street and Fisk Street, encompassing roadwork, sidewalks, traffic signals, lighting, landscaping, and underground utilities.
BAKER STREETSCAPING
Enhancements to Baker Street and Fisk Street, encompassing roadwork, sidewalks, traffic signals, lighting, landscaping, and underground utilities.
BAKER STREETSCAPING
Enhancements to Baker Street and Fisk Street, encompassing roadwork, sidewalks, traffic signals, lighting, landscaping, and underground utilities.
SILO PROMENADE & COURTYARD
SILO PROMENADE & COURTYARD
SILO PROMENADE & COURTYARD
SILO PROMENADE & COURTYARD
SILO PROMENADE & COURTYARD
DOWNTOWN PUBLIC PARKING IMPROVEMENTS
59 SPACES INCREASE OF
PUBLIC PARKING THROUGH PHASE I PROJECTS
Number of existing spaces = 98 (includes 5 ADA spaces)
Number of proposed spaces = 157 (includes 7 ADA spaces)
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC PARKING IMPROVEMENTS
BNSF Lot Redevelopment
Additional Downtown Parking Acquisition
City Owned Downtown Parking Lot Configurations
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER STATE
TOURISM
DIRECT VISITOR SPENDING
City of Brownwood
$38,500,000
$25,900,000
$33,500,000
$35,700,000 $35,200,000
29% INCREASE since 2020
SPORTS TOURISM
$3.1M 8,856
55,510
57
Economic Impact Hotel Stays Total Visitors Events Hosted
NJCAA DIII WOMEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
HOST DESTINATION FOR 2026 & 2028
12 Teams in 2026 Championship | 200+ Student Athletes 3,200+ Attendance over 4 days | 400+ Hotel nights
Past host cities: Rochester, MN (Pop 122,000) | Rockford, IL (Pop 146,000) | Bethlehem, PA (Pop 78,000)
Teams in 2024 tournament from Rhode Island, Maryland, 4 teams from New York, 4 teams from Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas.
BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
68
18,720
48 EVENTS 2025 EVENT ATTENDEES ALREADY BOOKED FOR 2026
233 AVG EVENT ATTENDANCE
BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
FEELS LIKE HOME FESTIVAL
FEELS LIKE HOME FESTIVAL
Sold Out crowd in current configuration
Downtown Preview Night Held the night before the festival on Oct. 3
FEELS LIKE HOME FESTIVAL
2024 | YEAR ONE
9,557,664TOTALMEDIAIMPRESSIONS
2025 | YEAR TWO
33,628,429 TOTALMEDIAIMPRESSIONS
THE FESTIVAL IS MORE THAN A CONCERT, IT IS AN ALL-DAY EXPERIENCE WHERE MUSIC, FOOD, AND COMMUNITY CONVERGE” “THE INCLUSION OF HOMEGROWN MUSICIANS REALLY FEEDS INTO THE ‘FEELS LIKE HOME’ VIBE.”
“A
SAVE THE DATE SAVE THE DATE
OCTOBER 3, 2026 OCTOBER 3, 2026
EVENTS, A LOOK AHEAD
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
2026 ANNUAL EVENTS
BROWN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR
SPRING ART STOMP
CINCO DE MAYO
BROWN COUNTY RODEO
2026 ANNUAL EVENTS
JUNETEENTH
EDUCATION FOUNDATION
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS VIEW
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER
BROWNWOOD DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN
BROWNWOOD DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN
NATIONAL VERNON DEINES HONOR AWARD:
BROWNWOOD EVENT CENTER COMPLEX
TOWN & RURAL PLAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS BRAZOS HONOR AWARD AWARDS & RECOGNITION
AWARDED TEXAS DOWNTOWN’S
The Brownwood Event Center Complex has been recognized with multiple statewide honors at the Texas Downtown Annual Conference, earning Best New Construction, Best Economic Game Changer, and the People’s Choice Award for Best New Construction.
These awards highlight the City’s long-term commitment to strategic downtown revitalization, innovative development, and community-driven investment. The Brownwood Event Center continues to strengthen our community’s position as a growing destination for events, tourism, and economic activity.
TOURISM FRIENDLY DESIGNATION
TEXAS MUSIC FRIENDLY DESIGNATION
PARKS MASTER PLAN IN ACTION
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | BROWNWOOD EVENT
RIVERSIDE PARK
BEFORE PHASE I IMPROVEMENTS
RIVERSIDE PARK BEFORE
PHASE I IMPROVEMENTS
RIVERSIDE PARK BEFORE
PHASE I IMPROVEMENTS
RIVERSIDE PARK
PHASE II OVERALL IMPROVEMENTS
8’ WIDE WALKING PATH EXTENSION WITH SOLAR LIGHTING
DISC GOLF ENTRANCE SIGNAGE, NEW EQUIPMENT, BASKET & TEES
ALL INCLUSIVE PLAYSCAPE EXPANSION WITH TURF & SHADE COVERINGS
PECAN BAYOU OVERLOOK PAVILIONS WITH WATER FEATURE
PECAN BAYOU NATURE TRAIL SIGN AND LANDSCAPING
SMALL PICNIC PAVILION ALONG BAYOU WITH WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM
NATIVE LANDSCAPING
ADA & SIDEWALK ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS
BOAT / TRAILER PARKING BY RAMP
EMERGENCY CALL STATIONS
SAND VOLLEYBALL IMPROVEMENTS
ADDITIONAL SITE FURNISHINGS
RIVERSIDE PARK
PHASE II OVERALL IMPROVEMENTS
RIVERSIDE PARK ASE II OVERALL
IMPROVEMENTS
EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE SLOPE ROOF PAVILIONS
EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE SLOPE ROOF PAVILIONS
EXAMPLE OF STRING LIGHTS BETWEEN PAVILION COVERINGS
EXAMPLE OF STRING LIGHTS BETWEEN PAVILION COVERINGS
EXAMPLE OF CONCRETE TERRACED STEPS / SEATING
EXAMPLE OF CONCRETE TERRACED STEPS / SEATING
EXAMPLE OF THE CASCADING OVERFLOW WATER FEATURES BETWEEN PAVILIONS
EXAMPLE OF THE CASCADING OVERFLOW FEATURES BETWEEN PAVILIONS
RIVERSIDE PARK OVERLOOK
PAVILLION
RIVERSIDE PARK OVERLOOK
PAVILLION
AYSCAPE EXPANSION
RIVERSIDE PARK
IMPROVED 5K RUNNING ROUTE
PHASE II IMPROVEMENTS
RIVERSIDE PARK PHASE II IMPROVEMENTS
RIVERSIDE PARK
COGG
2 New Basketball Courts, Fencing and Lighting
Completion of Walking Trail
ADA Sidewalk connecting new Basketball Courts, Tennis Courts, and Pickleball
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK PAVILION
FY 2022/23 Budget Planning - Council allocated $100,000 for Cecil Holman Park, and then re-designated the funds for improvements to the Bennie Houston Center.
November of 2022 - Asbestos survey done and assessment of current facility.
December of 2022 - Engaged Architects to assist in a conceptual study for a replacement facility options
April of 2023 - Public stakeholder meetings and a Council workshop were held with architect.
October of 2023 - Staff toured comparable facilities for best practices in layout, program offerings, amenities, and operations.
January of 2024 - Three facility options and estimated costs for construction were provided by architect for staff review and comment.
August of 2024 - City of Brownwood submits TPWD Non-Urban Indoor Recreation Grant
February of 2025 - City of Brownwood is awarded $1,500,000 grant from TPWD.
March of 2025 - City of Brownwood, Public Management Inc, and Texas Parks and Wildlife complete site visit.
Remaining of 2025 - Work with TPWD to comply with pre construction grant requirements.
January of 2026 - Receive floor plan and exterior renderings from Jacob and Martin.
Summer of 2026 - Final design approval and proceed with competitive bids.
Fall of 2026 - Award construction contract, and begin construction activities in compliance with TPWD.
BENNIEHOUSTON CENTERRENOVATION
Texas Parks and Wildlife awarded City of Brownwood $1,500,000 matching grant. Largest grant to date received from TPWD.
S T E P H E N E . H A Y N E S M A Y O R