HTX-TOM: Impact 10/6/2025

Tomball City Council and the Tomball Economic Development Corp. met jointly Oct. 2 to review updated design concepts and feasibility work for the Legacy Square redevelopment project, which will repurpose the former First Baptist Church campus downtown into a mixed-use cultural and community hub.

What happened: Consultants from Webb Management Services outlined the feasibility study, which includes evaluating programming options, operating models and funding strategies for the proposed performing arts and community venue.

Architects from Studio Red also presented new renderings of the site, including a reconfigured sanctuary that could seat up to 750 people on the main floor and balcony with flexible space for banquets, events and performances.

Diving in deeper: Public comments drew attention to parking shortages as a challenge. A downtown mobility study found Tomball is already short about 130 parking spaces, and Legacy Square could add demand for several hundred more, officials said.

Officials discussed potential solutions such as remote lots with shuttle service and trolley connections similar to those in The Woodlands.

Officials with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo announced in an Oct. 1 news release that Kyle Olsen, a seven-year veteran of the organization, will be the new chief show operations officer. He is the first CSOO of the show in over three decades.

What we know: According to the news release, Olsen brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in managing large-scale, high-profile events and complex public venues. His career background includes:

• Director of events and production at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona
• Event services at NRG Park
• Director of operations for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

A San Antonio-based grocery chain with a stronghold across Texas is now facing a change in leadership.

In case you missed it: H-E-B President Craig Boyan announced his intention to step down from his role, effective in January 2026.

He’ll subsequently retire at the end of next year, according to a Sept. 30 news release from the company.

As a result, current H-E-B Chief Operating Officer Roxanne Orsak will take his place.

Zooming in: Orsak started her career at H-E-B in 1988 as a store manager, rising through the ranks to become the COO in 2022, according to the release.

“I am honored to continue to shape the future of this great company with integrity, heart and a relentless pursuit of excellence,” Orsak said.

The context: The leadership change comes in tandem with H-E-B’s continued expansion in Texas.

New storefronts in San Antonio, Georgetown, Prosper and more have opened within the last two months, as previously reported by Community Impact.

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.