Home Depot’s New Regional Distribution center to be built at Superfund Site in Conroe

A brand new Home Depot Regional Distribution Center is currently being constructed at 1776 E. Davis St. in Conroe. This center is going to be located on the site that was formerly occupied by Conroe Cresoting Co., which was formerly a wood-treating facility.

Danielle Scheiner (executive director of the Conroe Economic Development Council) calls this project “the worst-kept secret ever.” She also mentioned that she could not reveal the name of the company before, as she was subject to a nondisclosure agreement.

Though the building has no signage on it in order to determine what it’s for, Nancy Mikeska (director of community development at the city of Conroe) mentioned in an email that Home Depot will be claiming this as a new Regional Distribution Center.

Scheiner noted that the 600,000-square-foot building is currently due to be fully built sometime in July, but as of now, it probably won’t be open until the fall of this year.

Scheiner did say this project is helping to reactivate the rail spur that crosses over Highway 105 into the site. Another major benefit is that it has also spurred extending FM 1314 up to Airport Road. Fortunately, this project has given the city the ability to finish this road project, which has been on the city’s wishlist for a long time. It was Home Depot's development that made completing this possible.

It was difficult to get a company to purchase the land, due to the history of the site.

The Conroe Cresoting Co. was closed down back in 1997. This was due to a few major infractions including delinquent taxes, and the use of three wood-preserving chemicals:

• Pentachlorophenol
• Creosote
• And copper chromated arsenate

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) identifies the site as a “superfund site” ––– also known as a site for hazardous waste ––– although the area had a remedy construction in 2003.

The tainted history of the area has made it difficult for the city to pitch the site to businesses. They’ve pitched it to multiple businesses for various projects, but when corporate risk managers saw the site, they also saw the risk associated with it.

Scheiner continued by saying the project had the support and engagement of elected officials such as

• State Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe);
• State Rep. Will Metcalf (R-Conroe);
• And U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands,)

They had also gotten the support of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the EPA as well. Scheiner has stated that of all of the projects she’s worked on, this is one of the ones that has made her most proud.