Woodlands Rejects Hotel, Explores A&M Conference

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors has definitively rejected a revised proposal from The Howard Hughes Corporation for a new hotel and conference center, marking the second such refusal for the prominent Town Center site in less than two years. The vote, held Thursday, May 23, 2024, signaled the Board’s firm commitment to community concerns over increased development density.

The proposed development, slated for the southeast corner of Lake Robbins Drive and Six Pines Drive – a highly visible location across from The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and adjacent to Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital – faced widespread opposition from board members and community residents alike.

Primary reasons cited for the rejection included escalating traffic congestion, the urgent need to preserve remaining green space, and a broader commitment to maintaining The Woodlands’ quality of life. Chairman Gordy Bunch, along with Vice Chairman Dr. Ann Snyder, Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Richard Franks, Brad Allen, John Anthony Brown, Cindy Nuegebauer, and Kyle Watson, all voted to decline the project.

Board Member Brad Allen voiced a particular concern, stating that The Woodlands doesn’t need “more concrete” and suggesting that the existing hotel market might be nearing saturation. While some board members reportedly disagreed with the extent of market saturation, Chairman Bunch emphasized that the decision was heavily influenced by consistent community feedback against denser development in the area. The Township has historically prioritized a balance of development with green spaces and quality of life for its residents.

This rejection is not an isolated incident. In December 2022, a similar proposal for a Marriott hotel on the very same site was also turned down by the Township Board, highlighting a consistent stance against commercial overdevelopment in this central location. The Howard Hughes Corporation, the master developer of The Woodlands, initially presented their latest proposal in March 2024, with the revised version failing to assuage the Board’s concerns.

Jim Carman, President of the Houston Region for Howard Hughes, expressed disappointment following the decision. He underscored the potential economic benefits the project would have brought to the community, including new jobs and significant tax revenue, such as hotel occupancy taxes that often fund local tourism initiatives and infrastructure.

In a distinct but related development, the Board also took steps to explore an alternative path for future conference facilities. Members voted to investigate a potential partnership with Texas A&M University to develop a new, academically focused conference center. This initiative, championed by Chairman Bunch, would likely pursue a different location and funding structure than a traditional commercial hotel project. The aim is to foster a type of economic development that aligns with research, education, and The Woodlands’ broader academic and innovation aspirations, potentially offering a more compatible fit for the community’s long-term vision.

The Township Board’s decision reaffirms its role in balancing growth with the preservation of the unique character and amenities that define The Woodlands.