Tomball Legacy Square Plans Focus on Three Buildings, Green Space and Community Uses

Tomball / Magnolia

October 03 2026

Tomball Legacy Square is moving into a more focused planning phase, with three buildings on the former First Baptist Church campus being evaluated for community, cultural and small-business uses. A September update outlines the next steps for turning the Old Town property into a public gathering place.

A New Chapter for an Old Town Campus

The economic development corporation purchased the 4.6-acre property for $4.5 million in April 2023. Its campus includes a chapel dating to 1949, connecting the redevelopment to a long-standing part of Tomball’s history.

More than 200 people attended a July 2025 open house. A feasibility study followed, with the final report presented in May 2026. The new planning direction builds on that work by narrowing the buildings and practical questions receiving attention next.

Three Buildings at the Center of the Plan

Following direction from Tomball City Council and the Tomball Economic Development Corporation board in August, planners are examining Building A, the main sanctuary, as a flexible community facility that could accommodate multiple uses.

Building C, the historic chapel, is being considered for museum and gallery space. Conversations with potential partners are underway, but no formal agreements have been reached.

Building F, the fellowship hall, could accommodate small retail spaces, workshops, arts and crafts activities, and rentals. These possibilities remain under evaluation.

The May feasibility study by Webb Management helps explain the interest in arts uses. It identified local arts education programs with limited space and a shortage of places to perform. Some organizations expressed interest in using the sanctuary, but their ability to pay market-rate rent was limited. The study emphasized flexible, affordable facilities and explored opportunities for performances, classes and community events. Those findings inform the planning; they do not establish a final program or operating agreement.

Renovations, Parking and the Cost of Operations

The next phase includes studying demolition of several other structures to make room for green space and additional parking options. Site visits and building walkthroughs have begun to assess conditions, construction sequencing and costs. Planners are also developing an approach to maintenance, programming and revenue.

Keeping the Tomball Feel

The public’s ideas for the campus reach beyond the buildings themselves. At the July 10, 2025 open house, participants called for shady trees, comfortable outdoor seating, art classes, local concerts and places for young people to make music. Some wanted to preserve the church playground as a public pocket park and improve sidewalks connecting the campus with Old Town shops and restaurants.

“Keep the Tomball feel,” one participant wrote in the public comment cards. Other comments urged designers to reflect the city’s German heritage and preserve the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

The feedback also captured the concerns of people who would live beside the activity. Participants raised questions about traffic on nearby streets, noise reaching homes and who would pay for long-term upkeep. Ideas differed on parking and the size of a performance venue. Those comments describe the community’s hopes and concerns during earlier planning, rather than an approved list of features.

Residents can follow the Legacy Square project timeline and read the September planning update. Final building uses and partner agreements remain to be determined.

By Johnny Krenek, My Neighborhood News

Johnny Krenek has been connected to community news since childhood, growing up alongside the family business his parents founded—Krenek Printing. Today, he serves as Vice President and lead developer for My Neighborhood News, where he drives the digital experience and supports the team across a variety of technical and operational roles. He is passionate about building tools that help connect neighbors and strengthen communities.