Housing plan for school draws opposition
The Conroe City Council has scrapped its plans to turn the former Sam Houston School into a performing arts center and is considering a project to renovate the historic building into 79 affordable housing apartments.
During a workshop meeting Wednesday, council agreed to defer support of Kansas-based Overland Property Group’s $28 million plan to develop the campus into one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
While about 6 acres of the 11acre property is under contract with Overland Property Group, City Administrator Gary Scott said Wednesday the sale is “not a done deal.”
The city will have a public hearing at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers at 300 W. Davis to allow residents to speak and learn more about the potential plan. The city will provide tours of the building Tuesday as well.
In July 2020, the city issued certificates of obligation for $4.2 million to purchase the school and the 11 acres it sits on to create a performing arts center.
However, the city scrapped the plan when the cost to renovate the historic structure reached $190 million.
As the city continues to face financial woes, the council has liquidated several tracts of land along with backing out of a deal in August 2022 to purchase the former Simpson Dabney building in downtown for $800,000.
“The situation we are in with the city is a tough financial situation, no doubt,” Council Member Howard Wood said of the decision to sell the old school. “We have a financial problem.”
Wood pointed to the new Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center as a major factor in the city’s financial position.
The more than $107 million facility that opened in May 2023 is not predicted to make money for several more years leaving the city to cover those costs.
Built in 1938 the building served as Sam Houston Elementary for many years before it was closed and a new campus built in 2007 on Thompson Street.
The former school then became the Walter P. Jett Continuing Education Center. The education center is now at Woodforest Stadium.
April Engstrom with Overland Property Group said the plan for the site includes the renovation of the existing building to 55 units and a new structure on site to add 24 more units.
Rent for the apartments would be income-based, Engstrom said.
“There are a lot of things I love about my job but one of them is getting a chance to preserve these historic structures,” Engstrom said of the company’s goal to have the building recognized as a national landmark. “The goal is to keep as many original elements as humanly possible.”
Overland Property Group is currently renovating the old Montgomery County Hospital. Dubbed Landmark 301, the site will offer 47 senior living apartments. Engstrom said the facility is expected to open to residents this summer.