Weimar Now Courting Movie Studio After Fayette Officials Push Back at Project

If Schulenburg doesn’t want the film studio project that hopes to build in this area, Weimar Mayor Milton Koller said his town is interested.

Koller told the Record last Friday that he has arranged a meeting with Robert Norris of Creative Innovation Development, the group that wants to buy property in this area for filming Western movies.

“I reached out to him to find out how things are going and what they needed,” Koller said. “We spoke for about 15 minutes and I told him Weimar might be interested, depending on what their needs are. It was a short conversation, but we’re going to sit down and talk and see how Weimar might get involved in what they’re doing.

“I know they had some meetings (in Schulenburg), but they had not talked to Weimar,” Koller added. “So I took the initiative to educate myself on what they are needing.”

Schulenburg Mayor Connie Koopmann and Fayette County Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann both spoke out against the project when Norris’ group announced their plans back in March.

Koopmann and Brossmann raised concerns about increased traffic, negative impacts on local businesses and property owners, and unwanted influence from California.

“I heard they didn’t want to open their arms to it,” Koller said. “I’m completely different. I know tomorrow is going to be different than today. I want to be proactive instead of reactive.

“I’m trying to get Weimar to become a destination,” Koller added. “It doesn’t have to be movies. It could be something else. But Weimar is going to grow. We’re taking steps to make that happen and be prepared for when it gets here.”

Koller said he’s especially excited about the possibility of this project creating new career opportunities for young people in Weimar.

“I know we have an older demographic that doesn’t want to change things, but I have to think about the kids who are going to be here in 20 or 30 years,” he said.

When the Record spoke with Norris back in March, he said movies filmed here would require carpenters, electricians, tailors, and a wide variety of other skilled workers. Moreover, part of their plans include a sound stage and audio production facility that would be built in the area. Norris said this facility would bring new career opportunities to local young people interested in audio engineering.

Norris confirmed he has been in communication with Weimar officials.

In related news, Norris told the Record in an email last Friday that his group has secured a lease for New Dubina, the Old West town built by retired dentist Dr. Jimmy Helms on his property near the community of Dubina. That property is located in the southeast corner of Fayette County not far from Weimar.

Norris said his group hasn’t given up on the properties they were looking at in High Hill and on Post Oak Rd. north of La Grange.

“We still are purchasing the other properties,” he said.

In addition, Norris said he’s looking for a local partner, so the “community can really be a part of it all.”