The Woodlands Edition | October 2024

Government

BY JESSICA SHORTEN

The Woodlands Township looks to future of GE Betz property

How we got here

In June, the board requested that township sta begin crafting a request for proposals for the GE Betz property and the 11.6-acre tract of land it sits on.

The Woodlands Township board of directors on Sept. 19 discussed members’ concerns about the future of the township-owned GE Betz property, emphasizing the preliminary nature of the available options. During the Sept. 19 meeting, President and CEO Monique Sharp recapped the history of the property located at 9669 Grogans Mill Road. GE Betz was previously a water and wastewater treatment solutions company that vacated the property in 2018. “No decision has been made regarding this property and action, the only action was requesting sta to develop a [request for proposals] slash marketing plan for the best property,” board Chair Ann Snyder said. Several studies have been performed regarding possible uses for the space following the

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Preparing the property June 2015: Board authorized $15.2 million purchase of GE Betz property September 2015: Final purchase agreement approved June 2018: GE Betz lease ends and company vacates property September 2018: Board approved seeking bids for building demolition and asbestos abatement March 2022: Bid for demolition and abatement approved June 2024: Board approves seeking guidelines for requests for proposals on GE Betz property development

building’s demolition, ocials said. “We want to make sure that we go about this in measured terms so we do the right thing,” board member Richard Franks said.

SOURCE: THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIPCOMMUNITY IMPACT

In their words

Sharp said the request for proposals would not be completed until October, at which point it would be presented to the board for review. However, the board is under no obligation to take action or begin work on the property. Board members also agreed there were no plans to outright sell the property.

through this thoroughly,” board member Cindy Heiser said. “We need a mobility study done ... so that we know what the trac ow would look like when we have an additional 5,000 people coming to The Woodlands on the night of a performance or something like that. ... I feel like all the homework hasn’t been done quite yet.”

One of the main uses considered for the property is the construction of a new performing arts center, according to previous township discussion. However, Sharp said the ocial use of the property will be based on the feasibility and mobility studies done. “I want to make sure that we really think

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