Tomball Considers Fate of Old City Hall Building

TOMBALL, TX -- City leaders are looking for solutions to the site of Tomball's old city hall that has stood vacant on the corner of Cherry Street and Main Street for years.

The whitewashed square building, which was built in the 1930s, is believed to have been last used as a city hall in the 1960s.

"We went into the current city hall in 1968," City Manager George Shackelford said.

Two weeks ago, City Councilman Mark Stoll sent an email to constituents soliciting ideas for the dilapidated structure, after the city was approached about the building being leased.

"The City of Tomball has been approached by a local business to possibly lease this site from us. But, before we could do that this building is in bad shape and we would have to bring this building up to a condition
whereby we could lease this out and the building will be safe for the tenant," Stoll said.

Some of the issues with the building include a roof that has collapsed in some areas, asbestos, lead paint, and black mold.

Adjacent to the former city hall is a capped oil well that operated from 1933 to 1980, a buried time capsule that will be opened in 2032, and Ciscos Salsa Company, the popular Mexican Cantina and restaurant that wanted to lease the space from the city.

The estimated costs to rehab the building is at $25,000, and while a massive overhaul might be an option, some on the council don't see the value in saving it.

Councilman Field Hudgens said the building was a safety hazard that needed to be torn down.

"I see no value in putting anything into this building," he said.

The small building has served many different uses, including an office for the night watchman in the 1950s before the city had a police department, and an office for the Texas Department of Public Safety n the 1980s.

Meanwhile, others on the council suggested tearing the building down and creating a pocket park, an idea that was suggested by Councilman Derek Townsend and supported by Stoll.

Tomball Mayor Gretchen Fagan said whether the building is rehabilitated or destroyed, it's an eyesore.

“I’ve been in this building, and it’s bad. But again it’s there, and we need to do something with it,” Fagan said.
“And once we start that process we can see how much is there and is there going to be anything we can (preserve) or do we want to demolish at that point.”

Image: Bryan Kirk, Patch Staff