HTX-WDL: Impact 8/26/2025

Premium Sponsors

Additional Sponsors

A variety of construction projects are underway in Conroe ISD, including work on new schools across the district.

How we got here: CISD passed a $653 million bond package in 2019 and a $1.8 billion bond package in 2023.

Rob Eissler Elementary School

• Project: The new elementary school, funded by the 2023 bond, has a 950-student capacity and serves The Woodlands High School feeder zone.
• Update: The school opened for the 2025-26 year.
• Location: 14000 Old Conroe Road, Conroe
• Timeline: opened for the 2025-26 school year

According to an Aug. 21 release, Local Public Eatery opened a new location at Market Street in The Woodlands, marking the concept’s first Houston location and second Texas location.

The details: The 5,140-square-foot space features curated artwork, vintage lighting and cozy area rugs, according to the release. The space also offers a screen at the bar for sports and a wrap-around patio with a retractable roof, intimate dining spaces and a central deck bar.

Quote of note: “Our commitment to elevated comfort food and creating a neighborly atmosphere aligns beautifully with The Woodlands community, offering a vibrant, welcoming space where guests can connect and make memories together,” regional chef Oliver Lewis said.

• Opened Aug. 21
• 9595 Six Pines Drive, Ste. 200, The Woodlands

The Woodlands Township learned at its Aug. 21 meeting that the $14 million, two-phase Bear Branch Dam rehabilitation project will need additional funding for new work at the site.

What to know: Ed Shackelford, director of operations for the San Jacinto River Authority, said at the meeting that there was an issue with water getting through the joints and spillway of the concrete dam that would require further maintenance work.

Notable quote: “Schnabel is of the opinion that significant issues exist at the Bear Branch Dam Spillway and, if unaddressed, will likely result in continued deterioration of the spillway system and uncontrolled release reservoir,” Schnabel Engineering said in a statement to SJRA. "A more comprehensive approach to rehabilitating both the service and auxiliary spillways is strongly recommended [immediately]."

Montgomery County Commissioners Court is set to meet Aug. 26 to consider items, including the creation of a new criminal district court and a potential interlocal agreement with the city of Conroe to improve traffic signal systems. 

What you need to know: According to the agenda, commissioners will consider, discuss and potentially take action on entering into an interlocal agreement with the city of Conroe for the installation and maintenance of Intelligent Transportation Systems. The systems would be used to enhance traffic signal operations throughout the city, per the agenda.

The court will also discuss the possible establishment of a new criminal district court. Details on the proposed court, including its scope and funding, were not outlined in agenda documents.

Also on the agenda:  Commissioners will consider accepting an advance funding agreement between the county and the Texas Department of Transportation for a fiber connections project. 

Another agenda item calls for approval of an interlocal cooperation contract between Montgomery County and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Home affordability in the Houston region decreased slightly according to the second-quarter housing affordability report from the Houston Association of Realtors. 

At a glance: Out of the five major counties in the Houston region, Montgomery County had the highest rate of home affordability, with 46% of residents able to afford a median-priced home. The least affordable area was Harris County, where only 34% of residents are able to afford a median-priced home. 

What else?: For those who rent homes, the average monthly payment across the region dropped from $2,190 to $2,100 a month. Galveston County saw the highest increase in monthly home rental prices, going from $2,100 to $2,175 per month.