Conroe moved forward with redesign efforts and named architecture firm PGAL as the firm that will provide the interior architectural design services for the visitors center on the first floor of City Hall.

Conroe City Council on June 22 approved $33,265 for the firm to produce the visual designs once the project reaches that phase. Facilities Manager Tammie Rushing, who is leading a committee in charge of redesigning the first floor, said there is not a project cost nor timeline set up for the redesign yet. She said the project cost will be better understood when members of the committee determine what they want this space to look like.

“The committee's objective is to design a community area on the first floor of City Hall that will include the [Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau] manager's office and her staff, a downtown manager's office, and a community area for social gatherings and meetings,” Rushing said in a June 26 emailed statement.

According to previous reporting, potential ideas include a visitors center with a gift shop, dining and seating areas, lounge areas open to the public, and conference rooms available to rent. On the outside of the building, there are plans to refinish the walkway, fix issues with planters, and add an outdoor patio and a porch area, according to the presentation. In April, the Conroe Convention and Visitors Bureau relocated from the fifth floor to the first floor to serve as a visitors center, according to previous reporting.