Austin school district to move into new headquarters
Other Central Texas districts debut new campuses
After nearly 35 years in its prime real estate spot downtown on West Sixth Street, the Austin school district this year will uproot its administration building and debut a new headquarters.
The former Southfield building, which will be the district's new headquarters, sits on the northwest corner of Interstate 35 and U.S. 290 in South Austin. Shaped somewhat like a bat wing, the renovated nine-story building will feature an atrium, a 640-square-foot employee gym and open collaborative spaces on every employee floor. The first two floors are designated public spaces, including the district's new school board room. The superintendent's office on the ninth floor overlooks the Austin skyline and St. Edwards University.
District officials and designers pulled together ideas from buildings that house companies such as Google, Oracle and Charles Schwab, incorporating natural light and open floor plans where employees can work without being tied to a desk.
"We're lucky, we live in a really cool city and were able to visit a large number of places and pull design concepts from them," said Kevin Schwartz, technology officer for learning and systems, who is helping transition the district's workspace style to more modernized spaces.
The district purchased the 142,000-square-foot-building for $28.4 million and is adding $22 million in renovations. Much of the funds come from the $36.5 million sale of its current headquarters, the Carruth Administration set of buildings, which offered less office space. The district's new location also offers better accessibility and parking, which have been problematic at the current headquarters.
District officials had hoped all 630 central office employees would be moved in by summer, but the South Austin facility won’t be ready to open by the first day of school, Aug. 20. Unexpected plumbing and electrical issues, along with the amount of permitting needed to be processed, caused delays, pushing the official opening to late October or early November.
A few dozen employees who work in the technology and finance departments moved into the new location months ago after offices in the former Baker Building in Hyde Park were sold to Alamo Drafthouse in 2017. They work to the clanking and drilling sounds of the unfinished building, and will move to their permanent floor once that office space is completed. Others in academics and professional learning move in this week, while those in payroll, human resources, academics and construction management move in to the building this month. The district's school board meetings won't begin at the new headquarters until November.
"I'm excited for the dedicated staff who support our school campuses every day," Superintendent Paul Cruz said. "This facility will better equip us to serve our community and students more efficiently. I look forward to the new modern design which will be more customer-oriented while increasing efficiency and workplace collaboration."
The new headquarters is among a handful of school facilities opening this year. As part of the $1.1 billion bond package, Austin will open three new campuses in January: Brown, Govalle and Menchaca elementary schools.
In addition, the Hays school district will open Central Texas' newest high school. The new $122 million Moe and Gene Johnson High School in Buda, the district's third comprehensive high school, has the feel of a college campus. The three-story building boasts of high ceilings, large windows and natural light.
It is one of two schools the Hays district is opening this year, as well as a new transportation facility in Kyle, a new 8,000-square-foot career and technical education building at Lehman High School for auto tech and veterinarian tech, and a new 18,000-square-foot fine arts and music building at Hays High School. A few other schools also are opening in other area districts.
School starts Wednesday in eight districts, including Bastrop and Lake Travis, and on Thursday classes being in eight more, including Leander, Manor and Round Rock. Austin students return to school Aug. 20. With the launch of the 2019-20 school year, Austin-area districts are debuting multiple new and rebuilt campuses and other facilities.
Austin district
New district headquarters, 4000 Interstate 35 South
Opening date: By November
Total cost: $50.4 million
Building: Nine stories, 142,000 square feet
Capacity: 700+
Details: The new district headquarters, its first since 1985, will house between 600 and 700 employees. The building, shaped like a bat wing, will feature the new school board room on the first floor, an atrium, quiet work spaces and a workout room. The view from the upper floors overlook the Austin skyline and St. Edwards University.
T.A. Brown Elementary, 505 W. Anderson Ln.
Opening date: January 2020
Total cost: $30.8 million
Building: Two stories, 73,100 square feet
Capacity: 522
Details: The rebuilt elementary replaces the shuttered campus, which closed unexpectedly in 2016 after its floors were deemed unstable. The campus also will house Webb Primary School students.
Govalle Elementary, 3601 Govalle Ave.
Opening date: January 2020
Total cost: $32.6 million
Building: Two-stories, 80,000 square feet
Capacity: 522
Details: The rebuilt Govalle is being built in a separate facility next to the current campus. The new building has been size-adjusted to allow for 75 fewer students than the current campus.
Menchaca Elementary
Opening date: January 2020
Total cost: $33.4 million
Building: Two stories, 98,600 square feet
Capacity: 870
Details: The new building is being built west of the existing site. The campus will allow for major, adjacent road expansions off FM 1626 and Manchaca Road. The existing site will be transformed into restored greenspace.
Hays district
Johnson High School, 4260 RM 967 in Buda
Opening date: August
Total cost: $122 million
Building: Three stories, 413,500 square feet
Capacity: 2,250 students
Details: The district's third comprehensive high school has the look and feel of a college campus, with high ceilings, large windows and natural light throughout the building.
Buda Elementary School, 1060 Old San Antonio Road in Buda
Opening date: August
Total cost: $122 million
Building: 115,000 square feet
Capacity: 900 students
Details: A new campus building for Buda Elementary replaces the historic campus from the 1930s.
Hutto district
Kerley Elementary, 800 Haybarn Lane
Opening date: August
Total cost:$26.5 million
Building: Two-story, 108,000 square feet
Capacity: 860 students
Details: The campus is the district's first two-story elementary campus and its seventh elementary school. The school was named for Benjamin "Doc" Kerley, the teacher and superintendent at the “Hutto Colored School” in the early 1900s, and whose family has a long history in the city.
Lake Travis district
Bee Cave Middle School, 5400 Vail Divide, Austin
Open date: Aug. 14
Total cost: $76.2 million
Building: Two-story, 240,000 square feet
Capacity: 1,200 students
Details: The new middle school will feature outdoor science and art areas, natural light and multipurpose breakout areas that allow for flexibility and collaboration.
Leander district
Larkspur Elementary, 424 Rusk Bluff Ave., Leander
Opening date: August
Total cost: $27.6 million
Building: Two stories, 110,000 square feet
Capacity: 800 students
Details: The new campus is the district's 27th elementary school and boasts open, collaborative learning spaces with plenty of natural light.
San Marcos district
Rodriguez Elementary, 1481 Esplanade Parkway
Opening: August
Total cost: $30.5 million
Building: Split level, 94,000 square feet
Capacity: 600
Details: The campus is fitted with a makerspace, amphitheater and an art classroom that opens up to turfed courtyard to encourage outdoor art. The elementary is named for three different educators who carry the Rodriguez name.