Conroe - Montgomery Edition | September 2023

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Conroe Montgomery Edition VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 SEPT. 20OCT. 23, 2023

Council denies expansion request for Conroe Park North

Conroe Park North is a 1,655-acre industrial park home to more than 40 companies and 4,000 employees. A vote to begin the process of expanding the park by 410 acres failed in August.

COURTESY CONROE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

city, while those who voted against the purchase said they had nancial concerns and would like to see economic development directed elsewhere. Council’s nancial concerns come as the city pro- jected a $1.4 million shortfall for scal year 2023-24 in July. That shortfall was avoided with an increase in property tax values as of Aug. 9.

• Is home to about 4,000 employees • Was at 98% capacity in May, said Danielle Scheiner, Conroe Economic Development Coun- cil executive director • Will generate $5.31 million in tax revenue for the city of Conroe this year, she said Council members who voted in favor said the expansion would create jobs and revenue for the

BY LIZZY SPANGLER

Conroe City Council voted 3-2 to deny expanding Conroe Park North by 410 acres Aug. 10. The Conroe Industrial Development Corp. was pursuing the $32.8 million purchase. In a nutshell Conroe Park North is an industrial park, which:

CONTINUED ON 22

Also in this issue

Impacts: The Patio Cafe and Bar is now serving Montgomery (Page 6)

Government: Conroebegins alley project downtown (Page 9)

Education: New study shows Montgomery ISD growth (Page 12)

Transportation: Hwy. 75 widening slated for Willis area (Page 19)

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

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Market leaders & metro team

What is CI Simple? • Our Design & Editorial leaders have planned a complete overhaul of our content, and we've named the transformation CI Simple. • Each page has been re-envisioned to ensure information is presented in a concise and easily digestible format. Why? • In an age of ever-shortening attention spans and new information accessible at the swipe of a thumb, CI Simple addresses the demands of modern readers. • There’s nothing quite like reading local news straight from your mailbox, and with this change we’re making every word and image count even more. Exciting changes • Revamped front covers with eye-catching imagery alongside a story that truly matters, plus new features like CI Foodie and CI Texas

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Asia Armour Joe Edwards Melissa Enaje Leah Foreman Wesley Gardner Cassandra Jenkins Shaheryar Khan Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Dave Manning James T. Norman Jessica Shorten Lizzy Spangler Graphic Designers Martha Ambrose Jatziri Garcia Chad Inmon Ellen Jackson La’Toya Smith Jesus Verastegui Taylor White

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Impacts

Willis

Montgomery

Now open

1097

LONE STAR PKWY.

LAKE CONROE

830

2432

1484

105

149

Conroe

2854

336

KEENAN CUT OFF RD.

4 Cardboard Heroes The trading card store opened in Conroe on National Trading Card Day. Cardboard Heroes sells trading cards for sports and Pokemon as well as novelty items and memorabilia. According to owner Solomon Alam, the shop will include more trading card varieties in the future. • Opened Aug. 5

FISH CREEK THOROUGHFARE

SIMONTON ST.

NEW DAY AVE.

MADELEY ST.

3083

WOODFOREST PKWY.

• 3776 FM 1488, Ste. B, Conroe • www.shopcardboardheroes.com

WOODLAND SQUARE BLVD.

1314

149

WEST FORK SAN JACINTO RIVER

1488

MAP NOT TO SCALE

242

• Opened July 28 • 15295 Hwy. 105 W., Montgomery • www.bobaqueentea.com

2 The Patio Cafe & Bar The Patio Cafe & Bar serves a variety of food, including Tex-Mex and American dishes such as burgers, sandwiches, breakfast choices, salads and platters. The cafe and bar also offers a drink menu, including beer, margaritas, mixed drinks, specialty cocktails and wine. • Opened June 6 • 19794 Hwy. 105 W., Ste. 400, Montgomery • 936-449-1259 3 Boba Queen Tea and Sweets The local chain serving boba drinks and desserts opened a location in Montgomery. The Thai-style dessert spot serves many desserts as well as milk teas and fruit teas. A location opened in Conroe earlier this year.

Now open

5 OC Wellness The newest center of OC Wellness provides a blend of wellness-based classes, massage therapy, nutritional counseling, personal training and community engagement programs. • Opened Aug. 19 • 525 Woodland Square Blvd., Ste. 140, Conroe • www.theocwellness.com 6 The Smoking Crab & Seafood The seafood spot is the fourth food truck at The Table at Madeley—a food truck park in Conroe—and its menu

1 First Watch First Watch, a restaurant chain specializing in breakfast, lunch and brunch, opened a location in Willis. The restaurant is serving a seasonal menu with dishes like crab avocado toast and pumpkin pancake breakfast, according to an Aug. 14 news release. First Watch also serves brunch cocktails, such as the Blackberry Bramble Sangria and Cinnamon Toast Cereal Milk. • Opened Aug. 14 • 12360 I-45, Willis • www.firstwatch.com

8:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM First Presbyterian Conroe E�er� Sunda� Communion and Prayer Sunday School for All Ages Worship Service

Pumpki� Patc� inf�

105

Open 11AM – 7PM Daily | Closed on Mondays Fal� Festiva� an� Trun� or Trea�: Octo�er 28t�, 4:30-8:00 p� Hayrides, Photo Ops, Baked Goodies, Cider And Hot Chocolate OCTOBER 14-31

336

2727 N. Loop 336 W. Conroe, TX 77304 (936) 756-8884 www.FPCConroe.org

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR, SHAHERYAR KHAN & ANNA LOTZ

Now open

In the news

includes snow crab, shrimp, seafood gumbo and other seafood favorites. • Opened Sept. 7 • 316 Madeley St., Conroe • www.facebook.com/thesmokingcrabseafood Yard Love Lake Conroe Owner Katie Newman launched Yard Love Lake Conroe, a home-based business. The business offers yard signs, greetings and cards for rent to celebrate occasions such as birthdays, births, weddings, graduations, sports and corporate celebrations. Custom signs are also available. Greetings are delivered, installed and picked up. • Opened Aug. 26 • Serving Montgomery, Willis and Conroe • www.yardlovelakeconroe.com 7 Bespoke Cigar Lounge and Social Club Owner Jason Johnson’s new cigar shop and members’ lounge is now open. Bespoke Cigar Lounge and Social Club includes a retail shop with premium, hand-rolled cigars along with cutters, lighters and humidors. Customers can also enjoy beer, wine and soft drinks on the patio. The lounge is open to members daily with TVs, private cigar lockers and clean air brought in every few minutes. • Opened Aug. 8 • 870 New Day Ave., Ste. 100, Montgomery • www.bespokecigarlounge.com

8 Conroe Art League The organization is celebrating 60 years in 2023 of promoting the enrichment of the Conroe area through the arts. Established in 1963, the Conroe Art League provides classes and workshops for adults and youth, scholarships for continuing art education,

and sponsors exhibits and juried shows in The Madeley Fine Art Gallery. The gallery is free to the public to visit and features a new exhibit each month by local artists.

• 127 Simonton St., Conroe • www.conroeartleague.com

St., Conroe, as of an Aug. 22 news release. The firm acquired Soules Insurance Agency in 2013 and was in its prior location for 50 years. • Relocated in August • 400 W. Davis St., Conroe • www.deandraper.com/our-story 11 Tri-Supply A retail store specializing in home improvement and building materials is relocating from 5457 W. Davis St., Conroe. Tri-Supply offers products related to home construction, renovation and interior decoration, such as lighting, ceiling fans, appliances, furniture, fireplaces, home decor, exterior doors, interior doors and windows. • Relocating Oct. 2

Coming soon

9 Total Wine & More Total Wine & More is coming to Grand Central Park’s 336 Marketplace in 2025, a representative with Total PR confirmed. The retailer offers wine, spirits and beer. • Opening spring 2025 • 336 Marketplace, S. Loop 336 W., Conroe • www.totalwine.com

Relocations

10 Dean & Draper Montgomery County The insurance agency relocated from 701 San Jacinto

• 6222 Hwy. 105, Conroe • www.trisupplyhome.com

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Government

BY LIZZY SPANGLER

Conroe underway with downtown alley beautification project done, which will include installing a conduit for the power and telecommunication lines, private companies such as Comcast and Entergy will work to relocate the lines. COCHRAN ST. 75 Masonic Alley Jay's Alley Shepard's Alley

The city of Conroe is underway with work to bring utilities underground in an effort to beautify select city alleys, Engineering Assistant Cesar Cantu said. This alley project is part of the city’s larger group of downtown revitalization projects that began in 1998. What’s happening? Construction began in July on three alley sections in downtown Conroe, Cantu said. Some of the construction will include improvements to the city’s water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer lines. Cantu said the construction phases are based on the utility being worked on, starting with the utilities that are the deepest in the ground. A closer look The alley project was introduced to the capital improvement program’s budget in 2019 for $6.47 million, Cantu said. He said once the city’s portion of the project is

W. PHILLIPS ST.

After all the lines are buried, the private compa- nies will remove the poles, Cantu said. After that, the city will return to complete any work needed after the pole is removed, such as paving. Notable quote “I’m really excited about this project,” Cantu said. “I hope that it will bring more people visiting downtown Conroe. They can see how beautiful the city is.” What else? Cantu also said the city is coordinating with businesses to create temporary trash locations, and local theaters will continue to have access to the alleyways. The city will provide updates on this project

W. DAVIS ST.

SIMONTON ST.

2854

on a monthly basis, Public Information Officer Andrew Yousse said. Stay tuned Conroe’s portion of this alley project is antic- ipated to be completed by the end of 2024, Cantu said.

CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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Government

BY LIZZY SPANGLER

Montgomery proposes $0.40 rate During its Aug. 22 meeting, Montgomery City Council unanimously proposed a tax rate of $0.40 per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2023-24. The proposed tax rate of $0.40 is the same tax rate the city has for FY 2022- 23, City Administrator Gary Palmer said. What else? City Council held a public hearing Sept. 12 on its FY 2023-24 budget, which proposes $5.906 million in revenue and $5.905 million in expenses, according to the draft budget.

Sample monthly water bill

Rate increase options

FY 2022-23 rate Percent increase from 2022-23 rate Alternative No. 1

Alternative No. 2*

+6.75%

+5%

Conroe City Council will decide on a water and sewer rate increase for fiscal year 2023-24 at its Sept. 14 meeting, which was after press time. Rates are projected to increase for both residential and commercial customers.

+5% +3.25%

$774 $783

$753

$91

$90

$88

Residential users (5,000 gallons)

Commercial customers (50,000 gallons)

*RECOMMENDED BY STAFF

SOURCE: CITY OF CONROE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

City of Conroe to raise water, sewer rates Conroe City Council will vote on increasing its water and sewer rates in fiscal year 2023-24 during its Sept. 14 meeting, which was after press time Sept. 13. The overview At an Aug. 24 meeting, Collin Boothe, director of

finance and assistant city administrator, said there are two options for an increase. Alternative No. 1 raises rates 5% for both residential and commercial customers, and Alternative No. 2 increases rates 3.25% for residential customers and 6.75% for commercial customers. Boothe said city staff’s recommendation is Alternative No. 2. However, Boothe said when council members adopt the budget, they will just be approving the water and sewer rate increases for FY 2023-24. Future rates may change from fiscal year to fiscal year, he said.

“That is now five consecutive years of maintaining that rate.” BYRON SANFORD, MONTGOMERY MAYOR

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Education

Montgomery ISD is expected to nearly double its current student population over the next decade— growth that could require additional schools to be built—according to the district’s newest demo- graphic study, which was released Aug. 14. The big picture Over the next 10 years, MISD will add between 6,000-8,000 students by 2032 , data consulting firm Population and Survey Analysts predicts in its 2023 report, according to an Aug. 14 news release from the district. This follows a demographic report done in April 2021. • MISD currently has almost 10,000 students enrolled. New MISD study predicts enrollment surge

PASA’s report recommends that MISD add three additional schools within the next decade, accord- ing to the news release: one each for elementary, junior high and high school levels. • MISD voters approved funds for planning and design of a third junior high school as part of the district’s 2022 bond. The district’s bond website indicates design for the Junior High No. 3 is planned to be complete in 2025. • Montgomery and Oak Hills junior high schools are expected to pass capacity by 2028, so a third junior high will be needed by August 2027. Diving in deeper The expected student enrollment growth for MISD is being driven by new housing construction, according to the news release, 88% of which comes from 12,072 new single-family units expected to be built within the next 10 years. • Sixteen subdivisions—including Pine Lake Cove, Lake Conroe Village, Lone Star Landing and Lake Conroe Forest—are currently under development and expected to bring more than 100 homes each to MISD.

• The district’s enrollment grew by 1,001 students— representing 12% growth—from 2017 to 2022. “Montgomery ISD is expecting significant popula- tion growth over the next 10 years,” Board President Laurie Turner said in the release. “The data that PASA provides is key in assisting our senior leader- ship team in making well-informed recommenda- tions to our board of trustees to ensure the proper resources are in place to provide a safe, excellent learning experience for each of our students.” Why it matters MISD is already slated to open a new elementary school—Creekside Elementary School—in August 2024 to alleviate enrollment growth at Keenan and Stewart Creek elementary schools, according to the news release. • An additional 293 and 409 students are expected to enroll at Keenan and Stewart elementary schools, respectively, in the next five years. • The construction of MISD’s new elementary school will be funded by the district’s $326.9 million bond, which was approved in May 2022.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY EMILY LINCKE

Future student growth by school Montgomery ISD is projected to add between 6,000-8,000 students by 2032, according to an updated demographic report released in August.

“Montgomery ISD is expecting signicant population growth over the next 10 years. The data that PASA provides is key in assisting our senior leadership team in making well- informed recommendations to our board of trustees to ensure the proper resources are in place to provide a safe, excellent

Elementary school

Junior high

High school

1,500

1,226

1,200

learning experience for each of our students.” LAURIE TURNER, MONTGOMERY ISD BOARD PRESIDENT

920 946

863

900

735

633

613

600

Stay tuned This fall, a town hall meeting will be held so MISD leaders can gauge the community’s opin- ions on the proposed attendance boundaries for Creekside Elementary School. MISD leaders will also attend parent-teacher organization meetings to gather feedback.

300

229 259

SOURCES: MONTGOMERY ISD, POPULATION AND SURVEY ANALYSTSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Education

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & EMILY LINCKE

CISD committee to study limiting cellphone use Conroe ISD announced on social media Aug. 23 the district will convene a School Cell Phone Committee to evaluate its cellphone guidelines. According to the district website, meetings will take place twice a month. Superintendent Curtis Null said he expects it to take three to four months before any action is taken. How it happened Discussion surrounding the idea of limiting student cellphone use in district schools started with a presentation by the School Health Advisory Council to the board of trustees Aug. 1 on the harmful effects on students’ mental health of using cellphones in class. • Teens who spend three hours or more a day on electronic devices are at a 35% higher risk of suicide than those who spend less than one hour on them.

Montgomery ISD’s tax rate to drop Montgomery ISD trustees approved a roughly $0.18 drop year over year for the district’s fiscal year 2023-24 tax rate thanks to property value growth, district leaders said during an Aug. 21 meeting. The present The approved tax rate for FY 2023-24 is $1.0487 per $100 valuation. However, a lower tax rate does not nec- essarily equal a lower tax bill for taxpayers if their values have gone up, as previously reported by Community Impact . The FY 2022-23 tax rate was $1.2289 per $100 valuation. Since FY 2016-17, MISD’s tax rate per $100 valuation has dropped about $0.32 from $1.37 to $1.0487, according to district information.

Phone use in schools A district subcommittee suggested potential future cellphone policy changes. Grades K-8 • Phone use would be limited to before and after school , and phones would be stored during school. Grades 9-12 • Students could access phones during designated times up to 20 minutes a day, not including lunch.

SOURCE: CONROE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Students spending more than three hours per day on social media faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health including depression and anxiety. The framework A school subcommittee gave a recommendation on how to further adapt the district’s current pol- icy to limit cellphone use. However, all students will still be able to access their phones during campus emergencies, according to the district.

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

Events

BY JOVANNA AGUILAR

Montgomery Quilt Walk Old Methodist Church is partnering with the Montgomery Quilt Walk to display dozens of quilts. There will also be vendors, a quilt raffle and demonstrations. • Oct. 6-7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free (admission) • Old Methodist Church, 309 Pond St., Montgomery • www.montgomeryquiltwalk.com 16th annual Duck Race The Community Assistance Center hosts an annual duck race to benefit its programs with 10,000 rubber ducks racing down the lazy river at Margaritaville Lake Resort. Every duck sponsor has a chance at winning prizes, including $1,000 in cash. • Oct. 7, 10 a.m. • $5-$500 (duck sponsor) • Margaritaville Lake Resort, 600 Margaritaville Parkway, Montgomery • www.duckrace.com/moco Angel Reach Road Rally & Scavenger Hunt Angel Reach, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for youth aging out of foster care, will host a scavenger ride hunt to collect essentials to fill a welcome trunk. This event will span about an hour and a half and will conclude with beverages, snacks and games. Guests can join the final stop.

• Oct. 7, 3:30 p.m. • $25 (final stop), $250 (scavenger hunt per vehicle) • The Owen Theater parking lot, 225 Metcalf St., Conroe (start); The B52 Brewery, 12470 Milroy Lane, Conroe (end) • www.angelreach.org North Houston Moms Fall into Fun Fest North Houston Moms is hosting its first fun fest, featuring on-stage entertainment, a DJ, a rock wall, a trackless train, a bounce house, balloon twisters, face painting, food trucks and local vendors. • Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Free (admission) • Heritage Place, 500 Collins St., Conroe • www.northhoustonmoms.com Chili cook-off The Lake Conroe Centennial and Montgomery lions clubs will host their annual chili cook-off to support the Texas Lions Camp. Cookoff teams can register until Oct. 21. The event is open to the public to sample the chili. • Oct. 28, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (cooking), 11:30 a.m. (public entry) • $5 (tasting cup and spoon for the public), $150 (cooking team fee) • Breakwater Grille, 13109 Melville Drive, Montgomery • 832-643-5854

September

‘90s Fall Fest Texas Star Propane & Texas Star Power is presenting a ’90s-themed music festival with artists Diamond Rio, Pam Tillis, Mark Willis, Andy Griggs, Doug Stone and Ricochet. • Sept. 30, 2 p.m. • $39-$49 (general admission), $200 (VIP) • Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 9201 Airport Road, Conroe • www.texas90sfest.com

October

Sip & Shop at The Lake House The Lake House in Grand Central Park will host a sip and shop event with over 100 vendors selling jewelry, boutique clothing, art, gourmet food, furniture and decorations. Attendees can shop while enjoying wine, beer and food trucks. Free parking is available at 336 Marketplace with a shuttle to The Lake House. • Oct. 7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. • Free (admission) • The Lake House, 1039 Lake House Drive, Conroe • www.grandcentralparktx.com

The Library Friends of Conroe book sale The Library Friends of Conroe’s book sale features fiction, nonfiction, children’s and young adult books. Specialty and collectible books will also be available. Only cash and checks with identification will be accepted for payment. • Oct. 5, 4-8 p.m.; Oct. 6, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Oct. 7, 9 a.m.- noon • Free admission; $0.25-$1 (per book) • Montgomery County Central Library, 104 I-45 N., Conroe • www.countylibrary.org

Historic Montgomery trick-or-treating Historic Montgomery’s fall event returns, inviting children to its trick-or-treating event with a costume competition, candy, vendors and a haunted house. The events will be held throughout downtown.

• Oct. 28, 1-4 p.m. • Free • 14420 Liberty St., Montgomery • www.facebook.com/trickortreatmontgomery

CONROE 1304 W Davis (936) 539-8787 NORTH CONROE 18434 Hwy 105 W (936) 582-5410

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY ANNA LOTZ & JESSICA SHORTEN

Traffic volumes projected to jump 57% on Hwy. 75 Traffic volumes on Hwy. 75 between FM 3083 and FM 2432 are expected to jump 57% in the next 20 years, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. As such, TxDOT is proposing widening Hwy. 75 to four lanes. What’s happening? According to a TxDOT presentation July 25, the $80 million project proposes widening Hwy. 75 from two lanes to four divided lanes between FM 3083 and FM 2432. Shared-use paths will also be added. The project’s purpose is to: • Reduce congestion • Enhance safety • Facilitate mobility Some context According to the presentation:

242

2432

18-FOOT RAISED MEDIAN PROPOSED

DAVID MEMORIAL DR.

Contract awarded for David Memorial Drive The city of Shenandoah on Aug. 9 approved a new interlocal agreement with Montgomery County to begin extending David Memorial Drive to Hwy. 242 after the city of Conroe postponed its involvement. Shenandoah awarded a construction contract to Bleyl Engineering. Engineer John Bleyl said the project will be completed up to the Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital southern property line by June.

FLUSH MEDIAN PROPOSED

3083

SOURCE: TXDOT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• Conroe’s population is projected to increase 28.7% and Willis’ population is projected to increase 38% from 2020-2050. • 236 crashes were recorded along the corridor between 2018 and June 2023. What’s next A construction start date has not been deter- mined, as it is dependent on federal and state funding. TxDOT officials anticipate beginning right-of-way acquisition this fall with design commencing in spring.

Hwy. 105 projects pick up east of I-45 in Conroe The $10.31 million project on Hwy. 105 between FM 2854 and I-45 to add a raised median was 98% complete as of a Sept. 1 update from the Texas Department of Transportation. What’s next At the same time, TxDOT crews have begun reconstructing and widening three other segments of Hwy. 105 to four lanes in the Conroe area.

3081

1484

• $51.83 million project from 10th Street to South Loop 336 will wrap up in the third quarter of 2027. • $89.72 million span from South Loop 336 to FM 1484 will wrap up in the third quarter of 2026. • $107.3 million project from FM 1484 to San Jacinto County will wrap up in the third quarter of 2027.

105

2854

10TH ST.

336

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

IN LOVING MEMORY

How do I put into words, how much your support and prayers have meant to myself and my family. We are so thankful and wish you many blessings! Your continued love, blessings, and prayers to our family started last year and has meant so much to our family. First, we faced the death of our son months ago, from Stage 4 prostate cancer. More recently was the death of my beloved hubby Jonathan ( John). We have received many prayers, emails, cards, plants, and letters recently for my beloved hubby. My pain is there each and every day. However, the calls, emails, texts, and many cards have helped me and my family get through each day. We received information from some lovely ladies who have recently donated funds to the CypressWoodlands Junior Forum for local high school scholarships in honor of my wonderful hubby, John. I do not have the names yet of the wonderful women who donated for John. Please know he would have loved the actions of those who donated for such a great cause. Thank you Sheri and family.

We want to thank the group of ladies from The Shinning Stars Guild, who gave their time, love and heart to our family and me. Thank you also to the wonderful staff at TOMAGWA Medical Clinic. I was fortunate enough along with Tamra, Dottie, Gloria Judy, Kathy, Candy, Cindy and myself to start the Immunization Program as a volunteer. My dear friend Georgi M. Helped me start and continues to be a successful program “The Food Pharmacy!” Part of TOMAGWA Medical Program. The heart and support given in abundance to our family, makes it most difficult to announce that after almost 27 years of service I’m leaving CypressWoodlands Junior Forum. My focus in life has changed with the changes I have experienced recently. Jonathon and I love CypressWoodlands Junior Forum, and we have always wanted to support it with heart, soul and donations for almost 27 years. We will miss everything CypressWoodlands Junior Forum stood for and their continued great service programs. Thank you for 26 wonderful years of service. Thank you for taking the time to give me and our family a blessed moment through your eyes. Our family and myself will always hold you close in our hearts! Gig’em Aggies!!!

Blessings to all, Sheri and family. In memory of my beloved John.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Real estate

Number of homes sold

August 2022

August 2023

Residential market data

49 35 46 47 43 35 85 92

26 26

-28.6%

77301

77306

Homes in the Conroe and Montgomery area stayed on the market signicantly longer in August year over year, staying on the market 200% longer on average in Willis ZIP code 77318. However, home sales prices declined in August in ve ZIP codes.

107 88

+2.17%

-17.76%

77302

77316

52 63 87 71

-18.6%

+21.15%

77303

77318

+8.24%

-18.39%

77304

77356

105

Median home sales price

149

2022

2023

2022

2023

77301 77306

77302 77316

77303 77318

77304 77356

77301

77306

-8.1%

-23.22%

$250K

$208.7K

$272K

$271.8K

77302

77316

-7.78%

-10.34%

$355K

$390K

$384.9K

$435K

Homes sold in the Conroe and Montgomery area by price point

77303

77318

-15.55%

+11.48%

$244.9K

$340K

$290K

$305K

August 2023

77304

77356

+2.85%

+6.99%

$324.9K

$435K

$316K

$406.6K

$1 million+

$750,000-$999,999

Average days on market

$500,000-$749,999

+70.83%

+54%

+83.78%

+151.43%

+103.33%

+155.56%

+200%

+95.24%

$250,000-$499,999

265

<$249,999

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY JAMIE BECHTOLD THE JAMIE BECHTOLD GROUP 15949 HWY. 105, STE. 51, MONTGOMERY • 9362158885 WWW.JAMIEBECHTOLD.COM

77301

77302

77303

77304

77306

77316

77318

77356

Up to 2% OFF Listings

Dr. Jamie Bechtold

CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION

From the cover

Council denies expansion request for Conroe Park North

What they’re saying

The overview

Conroe Park North, a 1,655-acre industrial park, is home to more than 40 companies and approximately 4,000 employees, Scheiner said in an email. The CIDC purchased the then 400-acre park in 1999 from a group of private investors and has made three subsequent land acquisitions since then to expand the size of the park, she said. Now, the park is nearly sold out, CIDC Board Chair George Waggoner said in an interview. “We continue to get quite a few inquiries from dierent companies all over—not only the country, the world—looking to move this direction,” Waggoner said. Council Member Curt Maddux, who also serves on the CIDC board and voted for the land purchase, said in the three years he’s been on the CIDC board, almost 500 acres of land have been sold. The purchase denied in August would have given the CIDC enough land to last about three to four years. “The nancial impact is what we’re looking for,” Maddux said. “We want all the economic development. This creates jobs, and it creates revenue for the city.” Council Member Todd Yancey, also on the CIDC board, voted in favor of the land purchase. “Everybody has their own opinion; I do respect that because we are tight on money,” Yancey said in an interview. “And I understand that, but I just thought this was one thing that would have made money.” Yancey also said he wants to see the city attract businesses that can help its economy. “I really do believe that there’s more and more people looking at us because of the trac, everything that’s going on in Houston,” Yancey said. “We have a low crime rate, a good pay scale.”

“We’re trying to bring economic growth and an economic nancial impact

KEY:

Expansion attempt

to the city. We’re spending money to make money, but our capital is the land, and we’re almost out of land.” CURT MADDUX, CONROE CITY COUNCIL MAYOR PRO TEM AND CIDC MEMBER

Lots sold

Lots available

Under contract/option

2432

“This year’s nancial position required we make drastic cuts across every single department in the city. We must stick with this mindset throughout

the year to achieve a much healthier nancial position in [scal year] 202526.” HOWARD WOOD, CONROE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND CIDC MEMBER

Conroe Park North

“There’s a lot of dierent things that we can and should spend that money on. I just did not believe that that

3083

tract of land at this time for that purpose was the right investment to make.” HARRY HARDMAN, CONROE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER

336

SOURCE: CONROE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCILCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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BY LIZZY SPANGLER

The cost

What’s next

cash on hand was right at $30 million, just a little over that,” Waggoner said. Waggoner said by the end of October, the CIDC is projected to have between $42 mil- lion-$45 million in cash, and the land purchase would have likely been paid for with a combi- nation of cash and bonds. Council Members Harry Hardman, Marsha Porter and Howard Wood voted against the industrial park expansion, while Maddux and Yancey voted for the purchase. The CIDC board vote was 6-1, with Wood, a board member as well, voting against it.

The CIDC is a nonprot development corpo- ration that operates under the supervision of Conroe City Council and is funded through a half-cent sales tax, according to its website. “That’s what the CIDC board oversees is that revenue collection along with the develop- ment of [Conroe Park North], which is [to] sell and [do] recruitment of the land we have out there,” Waggoner said. While City Council oversees the CIDC, Wag- goner said its budget is separate from the city’s. “We are in a very strong nancial position within the CIDC where, at the end of June, our

Waggoner said the next steps for the CIDC will be discussed at the board’s next meeting Sept. 14— which was after press time—and the CIDC will work with City Council to get direction. Wood said he sees value in the park’s expansion but would like to see other economic development initiatives like the redevelopment of vacant buildings. Porter also said she would like to see a focus on lling vacant buildings. “We have several vacant buildings, lots, shopping centers, etc. I’ve voiced an opinion that I’d like to see that addressed. Are there creative things we can do to attract dierent types of potential companies?” Wood said. Hardman said he believes there are opportunities for smaller investments rather than one big investment. “I think there’s a lot of opportunities to acquire property closer in the city,” he said. “You look at some of the major buildings that have been vacant for a while; we can potentially repurpose those and bring in new businesses more internally.”

The CIDC is funded by $0.05 sales tax.

It had about $30M cash on hand in late June.

The vote failed 3-2 to expand the park by 410 acres for $32.8M.

Conroe Park North was last expanded

in 2018 by 610 acres .

SOURCES: CONROE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, CONROE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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*Restrictions Apply. Home sale pridng varies. Additional costs not shown in Ad. All information, including but not limited to pricing, availability, features, and specifications, is subject to change. Contact the community office for more details, accurate pricing, and a comprehensive understanding of the terms and conditions associated with home purchase. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION

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