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Tomball EDC launches feasibility study for First Baptist redevelopment; parking and land buys highlighted
Summary
At the council workshop the Economic Development Corporation reported public turnout for an initial First Baptist Church redevelopment meeting and said the EDC has authorized a feasibility study and is pursuing nearby land purchases to support downtown redevelopment and detention needs tied to capital projects.
Lede: Tomball's Economic Development Corporation staff reported that the initial public meeting on the First Baptist Church redevelopment drew substantial interest, that the EDC board approved a feasibility study, and that the EDC is under contract to buy two nearby parcels intended to support downtown redevelopment and stormwater detention needs.
Nut graf: The EDC update linked the downtown redevelopment effort to a concurrent parking and mobility study. Staff said purchases of about 16.25 and 29.5 acres near the South Live Oak Business Park are intended to provide land for parking and detention basins to support planned capital projects such as Persimmon.
Body: Kelly, representing the EDC, said the First Baptist public meeting had strong turnout and that staff had received roughly 100 written comments; the submissions are being transcribed and summarized. The EDC board voted to approve a feasibility study to be led by a consulting firm (Web Management), with a proposed kickoff in August and an anticipated joint EDC-council meeting to present findings and collect council questions.
Kelly told council the EDC is under contract for two parcels: a 16.25-acre tract priced at $1,915,000 (about $2.70/sf) and a 29.5-acre tract priced at $2,420,000 (about $1.88/sf). Staff said the larger tract near the south project could provide detention-basin area that would reduce the city's need for additional land acquisition to support Persimmon and other drainage projects.
Kelly also reported early-stage work on a downtown parking and mobility study and stakeholder meetings to evaluate parking counts, shared parking opportunities and activity generators in old-town Tomball.
Ending: The EDC intends to present the feasibility study publicly and to coordinate with council and other boards on downtown parking and mobility planning; staff flagged the potential for grant funding to support broader transportation or circulator studies.
