Conroe CIDC authorizes $135,000 for outside legal counsel on convention center and hotel project

The Conroe Industrial Development Corporation voted July 24 to authorize outside legal counsel to provide professional services related to the Conroe Convention Center and hotel project in an amount not to exceed $135,000.

Board members amended the amount downward from $145,000 to $135,000 during the open meeting. A board member moved the amendment and another board member seconded; members called for the vote and all present responded “aye,” approving the authorization.

The authorization follows an earlier executive session described by the board as covering financial incentives and legal advice related to the convention center and hotel project. During public comment earlier in the meeting, citizen Betty Bourne Avery asked whether the CIDC’s expenditures on the Hyatt matter would be directed toward mediation or litigation and suggested the board consider appellate venues; she asked, “Will this money be spent for just mediation only, trying to come to terms to resolve these issues, or will there be a filed case suit in court?”

In addition to the legal-counsel authorization, the board approved two routine items during the meeting: the June 26, 2025 regular meeting minutes and the June treasury report. Each of those motions was moved, seconded and approved with members answering “aye.”

The board did not specify further procurement details or contract terms for the outside counsel during the public portion of the meeting. The agenda item described the authorization as allowing the city attorney to permit retained outside counsel to engage in professional services related to the Conroe Convention Center and Conroe Hotel.

The meeting adjourned at 4:46 p.m.