Bryan site chosen for Health Science Center facility. - Eagle (Bryan, TX) | HighBeam Research

Byline: April Avison

Dec. 2--The Texas A&M; University System accepted a $6.6 million land donation from Bryan on Friday and will build a new Health Science Center campus at the corner of Raymond Stotzer Parkway and Texas 47.

Although city officials acknowledge it's a significant investment, they said Friday they consider the deal a victory.

"It will promote growth in the city of Bryan, and it brings name recognition not only locally but nationally," Bryan Mayor Ernie Wentrcek said at the A&M; system's Board of Regents meeting in Prairie View on Friday. "The return will be in the long term. It will play out over decades."

The land is on the College Station border with Bryan, near Easterwood Airport, but entry to the Health Science Center will be from Bryan, the mayor said, adding that when the new campus is built, its name will include the word "Bryan," in accordance with an agreement between the city and the A&M; system.

Bryan officials exchanged handshakes and congratulations after the regents made their decision and shrugged off questions about the potential financial impact that could come from "fronting" $6.6 million to pay for the land they're giving away.

The city won't issue debt or raise taxes to pay for the …