Michael Corbett has many fond memories of downtown Conroe.
His family came to Montgomery County when he was young, and he spent many years attending First Baptist Conroe just off the courthouse square.
He recalls downtown being a little sleepier and more focused on government in his youth than today’s mix of restaurants and retail shops.
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Now at 31, Corbett looks forward to being a part of the future of downtown Conroe as the city’s new downtown manager.
He fills the vacancy left by Frank Robinson when he retired earlier this year.
Corbett’s first day with the city was Aug. 10.
His responsibilities in this position include promoting the vitality and exceptionalism of downtown Conroe through economic development, programming, infrastructure improvements, cultural arts, destination marketing, grant funding initiatives and maintaining strong working relationships with the business community, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Corbett reports directly to Assistant City Administrator and Director of Finance Collin Boothe and works at Conroe Tower on the downtown square.
“We are excited to add Michael to the city of Conroe’s team. Michael has experience in program management, event planning and promotion, and project management. He brings a positive attitude and energy to the position of downtown manager,” Boothe said. “I believe his combination of knowledge, skills and abilities will make him successful in this position, and we look forward to accomplishing the goals and objectives of the city’s downtown development program.”
In July 2019, City Council approved a Downtown Conroe Development Plan. This plan expanded the area of what is considered downtown Conroe from the area around the courthouse to an area that is bordered by Interstate 45 on the west, 10th Street on the east, just north of Dallas Street on the north end and the east/west railroad tracks on the south end.
Within this area, six districts have been identified including the Neartown District, Arts & Honors District, Uptown District, Central Business District, Homestead District and Old Town Marketplace District.
In fall 2022, the downtown area received a Cultural Arts District Designation from the Texas Commission on the Arts. The area has two theaters, an art gallery, a brewery, two wineries and numerous retail shops and restaurants.
The history and arts opportunities and the people who make up the downtown community drew Corbett to the area.
He graduated from Willis High School where he played baseball and participated in 4-H. He showed projects in the Montgomery County Fair.
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He graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in recreation, parks and tourism sciences.
Corbett then worked for The Woodlands Township for nine years in several roles within the parks and recreation department.
“I really enjoyed my time with The Woodlands Township and working with everyone there, but this was my chance to come home and have my fingerprints on something that I know is growing and evolving and that feels special,” Corbett said.
He said downtown Conroe has the unique combination of big-city qualities and amenities but still has a small-town feel.
His wife, Brooke, is a Conroe ISD teacher and they have a 3-year-old son.
Visit the Conroe website for more.
