The Courier of Montgomery County reports that back on the market in Conroe is the historic Sam Houston Elementary School, and the plan to revive it for $30 million might be brought back to the table.
City staff presented information about the property during Wednesday’s Conroe City Council workshop. The terms are $4.3 million for the school and 5.66 acres of an 11-acre property.
The remaining 5.33 acres, including the metal buildings and playground on the site, would be kept by the city.
Overland Park Group out of Kansas might be willing to revive the plan for $30 million to renovate the building into 79 apartments, according to Assistant City Administrator and Director of Community Development Nancy Mikeska.
Following objections from the community in February, Overland Property Group withdrew its offer to purchase the building.
Resident’s dissatisfaction with the company’s plan for the building led to Overland Property Group’s abandoning of the project, according to Overland’s April Engstrom.
At present, no contract on the school exists and there is no confirmation that Overland would purchase the building, according to Mikeska.
Mikeska said the building needs millions in repairs and listing the building may be the best option.
In addition to the building’s deterioration due to age, the school received damage when Hurricane Beryl came through the area last July.
The city issued certificates of obligation for $4.2 million back in July of 2020 to purchase the school and its acreage to create a performing arts center. When the cost of renovating the structure hit $190 million, the city scrapped the performing arts center idea.
Mikeska said through 2035 the annual debt service on the building is $320,515.
