In May 2024, the Plano ISD School Board approved a resolution outlining the process by which the district would address any real property which was declared surplus. At its September 17, 2024 work session, Plano ISD's Board of Trustees declared Armstrong Middle School, Davis Elementary School, and Forman Elementary School to be surplus property.
Subsequently, the Plano ISD's Board approved the interlocal agreement with the City of Plano for the three properties at its October 22, 2024 meeting that provided the framework to work cooperatively towards the transfer of the three surplus properties to the city.
After negotiations between Plano ISD and city staff, a purchase price of $8,150,000 for the 17.85 acres Armstrong Middle School property has been agreed at the staff level based on third party appraisals obtained by both entities.
The city intends to pursue the redevelopment of the Armstrong Middle School property after a community engagement process is conducted to receive neighborhood input and direction later this year. The property is currently zoned Single-Family Residence-7 (SF-7) and classified as Neighborhoods (N) on the Future Land Use Map of the Plano Comprehensive Plan.
A 2.66-acre portion at the southeast corner of the school property which fronts Valencia Drive is subject to a deed restriction requiring the property be used as a school. Plano ISD and the city intend to pursue the removal of that deed restriction now that the school has closed and the former school building is planned for demolition. Should the deed restriction removal effort be unsuccessful, the Plano ISD and the City intend to negotiate a reduced price for the remaining 15.19 acres of the Armstrong Middle School property not subject to a deed restriction.
If the City elects not to purchase the Armstrong Middle School property, Plano ISD will list the property on the open market. Staff recommends approval of this item.