Contemporary art museum in the works for Downtown Katy

"I could see people coming in town to see [the museum] and get them walking around old town Katy," said Doyle Callender, former City of Katy mayor and current chairman of the city's parks department. "Really, anything that brings people to the city is a good thing."

Callender, whose last term as mayor ended six years ago, now works in Downtown Katy with Amegy Bank and said a contemporary arts museum would be a colorful addition to the area that he believes would successfully boost tourism.

The contemporary art museum will feature about four exhibitions a year, Roman said, as well as a gallery with art for purchase. Roman's current exhibitions are housed in Babaloo International Cafe and Bar, and she will continue with the same method of choosing exhibitions for the art museum.

"I try to do as many local artists as possible, specifically people who live in Katy but are from other countries," she said.

Interior renovations of the building will include a kitchen for outside catering to accommodate for events.

The gun museum will feature various exhibitions throughout the year highlighting the design of guns, such as famous engravers, knife designers and specialty gun makers. It will also feature trophy animals, Roman said, and she hopes to highlight animals from local residents.

Architecture firm Perkins and Will designed the exterior and interior look for both museums, but Roman said she does not want to make drastic alterations to the exterior to preserve its historical look.