How Will District Use New Land Near HPHS?
Highland Park ISD still doesn’t know where it might build a new natatorium as part of a potential upcoming bond initiative, but perhaps a push to acquire more land adjacent to Highland Park High School provides a new option.
The HPISD board of trustees on Monday gave its approval to secure two lots totaling 0.62 acres in the 4100 block of Lovers Lane previously occupied by apartment buildings.
The district plans to make an offer to buy the properties first, and they can’t agree on a price, then will use the power of eminent domain. The land, located across the street from the HPISD administration building, could be used “to address parking and facilities needs,” according to a district press release.
One of those needs is a location for a natatorium, since HPISD officials have indicated the desire to eliminate the current natatorium inside the high school building in favor of more classroom space.
On Monday, HPISD superintendent Dawson Orr said the district would form a natatorium subcommittee as part of its facilities advisory committee, which is studying potential components to a bond initiative HPISD hopes to send to voters in May. The subcommittee will identify and evaluate potential natatorium sites, including land already owned by HPISD.
The options still include a partnership with the city of University Park, which is awaiting results of a feasibility study regarding construction of a aquatics center at Curtis Park, next to the existing outdoor pool. The collaboration has been met with widespread public criticism because of parking, traffic, and environmental concerns.
Orr also mentioned Germany Park, which also is owned by UP and features a running track used by the district for track practices and meets.
He ruled out a partnership with the Park Cities YMCA, which will rebuild its facility in 2015 but won’t have enough space or parking to suit the district’s needs.
“Their facility will not support what we need in a high school swimming program,” Orr said. “There’s simply no way that could be a shared facility.”
HPISD also is discussing a potential partnership with SMU for use of its pool, but Orr said that’s unlikely because of scheduling and staff issues that include NCAA guidelines restricting contact between college coaches and high school athletes.
I hope they don’t use Eminent Domain. They need to get land, that’s clear, but forcing someone to sell, even if it’s the supposed market price, just is not right.
Kick the Slumlords out!
The tax value of this 0.62 acre parcel is $1.4 million. That’s equal to almost $52 per sq ft. If HPISD decides it’s ok to spend taxpayer and our kids education dollars and teachers salaries on a freaking parking lot with a value of $51 to the dirt, then something is very wrong with our school board. Knowing the fair market value is a heck of a lot more than that, especially the certain added value of new residential, replacing the old apartments that were torn down. To hell with eminent domain! If the school board starts throwing that word around with the newsletters and meeting minutes I’ve seen, the can of worms this will open will be nasty.
Yes! Let’s put more traffic on Lovers and Preston. Isn’t there another way?
That Field House is the biggest waste of space on the whole campus. It could house the natatorium, a new elementary school and the whole freshman class.
Preach it, Far from rich.
I would certainly be willing to purchase some of those municipal bonds if/when they are floated. Those would be outstanding assets. Expect them to sell quickly.
Amen Brother Dan.
Extend the campus to Lovers? Really? Traffic is stupid crowded on Lovers between the toll road and Preston. To tell the truth, it’s crowded on Lovers between Inwood and Central.
And have we gotten so spoiled and lazy that kids can’t carpool or ride the bus?
we need some yard signs like them folk around Curtis park about the natatorium…”no parking lots”
I don’t suppose there was any foresight about building the existing garage with structural support needed to add decks?
I hope the Highland Park ISD Builds a new Natatorium that would be just great I would love to see that happen
@far from rich – is there a bus those kids can ride? I didnt think we had school buses, and many of the far from rich parents may have to rely on their kids to drive themselves to school as they have jobs and may be single parents, etc. I agree carpooling is an option but wasnt aware of a bus being an option at all. As active as these kids are, I have to imagine even if there were buses , many would be sticking around for their extra activities and their parents may really rely on their ability to drive themselves.
@Beecherl – assuming you are Cynthia, from the School Board…what’s the plan with the Lovers Lane parcel? And, why is the board threatening eminent domain? Seems a little heavy handed to come out with a public announcement like that when it appears an offer hasn’t even been made yet (http://www.hpisd.org/Departments/Communications/NewsReleaseArchive/111714.aspx). Should all property owners around the Highschool begin to worry their property will be condemned and taken for parking lots? Please advise
I heard that back in the 70s some kids rode the bus to school. And carpooled.
Yes, schedules are crazy. That’s why you find friends with your schedule and carpool with them.
I take Lovers on the way to work. I can’t imagine what it will be like with more traffic. I suppose other cross streets like Mockingbird, Southwestern and Beverly will now also become more crowded.
More importantly will the surrounding neighbors treat this new parking lot like the neighbors did to HP Pres.