“This is really kind of the first phase of really shaping what this project turns out to be,” Kelly Violette, Tomball Economic Development Corp.’s executive director, said. “The whole idea is to be able to just gather comments and hear what people like, what they don’t like, what they want.”
What you need to know
Concept boards and dot-voting stations were at the town hall for residents to select their preferences. Options included landscape design and potential uses. During the town hall, more residents voted in favor of a performance center rather than uses such as dining, an outdoor area, an art gallery, retail, a banquet hall and offices.
A nearby resident shared concerns about multi-story parking garages and event congestion.
“My house butts right up next to one of their main parking lots,” resident Tray Nulisch said. “My biggest request is no multistory parking garages, especially if you're right next to a resident.”
However, Nulisch said giving attention to the arts and allowing residents in the area an option to stay in town versus driving into Houston is welcomed.
Violette said consulting firm Studio Red will synthesize the data collected at the meeting, which will inform a site layout, architectural style and proposed uses.
“This is going to be a process,” Violette said. “It’ll be probably another four months of visioning, designing, looking at different options from the public feedback.”
Phase 1 of construction, which includes the main sanctuary and the 1949 Chapel, is targeted for 2027. Phase 2 would include the redevelopment of the fellowship hall and surrounding space for mixed-use activities.
“[The] only buildings we’re looking at possibly demoing are the ones in the center of the site so we can open it up,” Violette said.
How we got here
TEDC purchased the 4.63-acre First Baptist Church Tomball property for $4.59 million in April 2023, as previously reported by Community Impact.
