Curtains closing From the cover
In a nutshell
Conroe bought the former school property in 2021 for $4.2 million after a feasibility study on the potential of a new venue was presented to council in 2019, Community Impact previously reported. Annette Spikes, who serves on Conroe Symphony Orchestra’s board, said the Greater Conroe Arts Alliance, or GCAA, and its 21 member organizations were surprised by the sale. “In the beginning, we were very much a part [of the planning process],” Spikes said. “We made a long list that went to the original people ... [doing an architectural] feasibility study. But then on this end, we were totally surprised.” The revenue from the sale would initially be used to refund bond proceeds and for approved city purposes, per the Dec. 14 agenda packet. Mayor Jody Czajkoski and City Administrator Gary Scott declined interview requests, citing a desire to wait until the contract has closed. “We’re excited about the future of 601 Lewis [St.],” Conroe Public Information O cer Andrew Yousse said in an email. “We look forward to nalizing the sale and watching the property produce new opportunities for our citizens.” Frances Peoples, a board member for the Montgomery County Genealogical and Historical Society, said arts o cials know decisions have to be made that may not be in their best interest. “But … when new people come into our community [and] new businesses, they want to have the arts,” Peoples said. Harper said he believes the arts have a residual e ect on surrounding businesses. “I think that just continues to grow as more programs come through,” Harper said. “Even down to the orist. When people perform, parents or loved ones are giving owers. They’re going to look at where’s the local orist or drop into one of our local grocery stores. … There’s so many di erent ways that it can all connect to driving an economic engine in our area.”
Tracking the Conroe performing arts center proposal
2018
March 8, 2018: Conroe City Council approves a feasibility study for a new performing arts center, identifying the possible cost, location, size and scope of the project.
$72K cost for study
2019
Sept. 11, 2019: City Council receives a presentation on the feasibility study.
2021: The city purchases the property at 601 W. Lewis St.
2020
$4.2M spent on property purchase
Conroe originally purchased the Sam Houston Elementary School building in 2021.
W. LEWIS ST.
2021
Oct. 14, 2021: City Council names an architect for the planned performing arts center and authorizes two architectural feasibility reports.
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W. PHILLIPS ST.
$110K cost for reports
W. DAVIS ST.
105
2022
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July 13, 2022: Feasibility reports are presented to council.
Report 1
Report 2
$190M cost estimated for 2,000-seat performing arts center
$70M cost estimated for 1,600-seat performing arts center
Dec. 14, 2023: City Council approves a contract to sell the property to Overland Property Group LLC.
2023
$4.3M property sale price; will refund bond proceeds and fund approved city purposes
2024
Late July: Overland Property Group will learn if it will receive tax credit funding to redevelop the property into income-based housing.
SOURCES: CITY OF CONROE, OVERLAND PROPERTY GROUP COMMUNITY IMPACT
What they’re saying
“It was kind of a utopian dream. When I look back at the feasibility study and I think about all of the organizations being in one location to do collaborative work with each other, it was just a dream.”
“We love the city. We would like to depend on them, but we are certainly capable of going out on our own and guring out how we are going to realize this vision.” GARY LIEBST, CONDUCTOR, CONROE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
“I think [a performing arts center] is something that we de nitely need. It’s something that we will support in any way, and it really helps drive the economic engine for our area.” SCOTT HARPER, PRESIDENT, CONROE/ LAKE CONROE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNETTE SPIKES, BOARD MEMBER, CONROE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
NOTE: THE CITY DECLINED TO COMMENT FURTHER ON THE SALE UNTIL THE CONTRACT IS COMPLETED.
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