More than 80 nearby residents and community members attended to ask questions and share concerns about the redevelopment of Davis Elementary property.
Some context
After PISD trustees voted to close four campuses in June 2024 due to declining enrollment, the city of Plano approved an interlocal agreement to purchase Davis, Forman Elementary and Armstrong Middle.
Carpenter Middle also closed but remains under PISD ownership. Plano approved funding to purchase the three campuses earlier this year, and the city is planning to finalize the purchase in November, Plano’s Real Estate Manager Matt Yager said.
Additionally, all four campuses are currently being demolished by PISD.
What they’re saying
Plano Neighborhood Engagement Manager Stephanie Peacock said Plano City Council will have the final decision on the properties’ future after community meetings and discussions. Additionally, each property will have a separate approval process.
“There is no decision made yet,” Peacock said. “We’re starting at ground zero.”
Peacock said the land for both Davis Elementary and Armstrong Middle is zoned single-family residential, which would allow some kinds of housing developments, such as townhomes or single-family homes.
Most attendees opposed any kind of housing development and favored creating a public park, potentially extending the nearby Caddo Park, which the current zoning would also allow.
Council member Chris Krupa Downs, who lives near Davis Elementary, attended the meeting and said she would like to see a public park at the Davis property.
Downs also encouraged residents to contact City Council members to express what they would like to see happen with Davis or the other properties.
“The reason I chose to be here tonight is ... it’s in my own community,” Downs said. “I wanted to be here to hear what each and every one of you said so that I could listen to you.”
While most residents were in opposition to housing development, some attendees expressed support, with one attendee writing that adding more single-family homes will “attract younger families to an aging PISD.”
Other attendees expressed concerns such as questioning how the changes will affect their property values as well as concerns about more housing in the area. One attendee wrote on the open-comment board for Davis, “Why are we building more homes when Plano ISD closed [four] schools because of low enrollment?”
Plano officials will continue holding community meetings through October, including:
Davis Elementary information session:
- Oct. 4: Haggard Middle School from 9-11 a.m.
- Oct. 16: Haggard Middle School from 6-8 p.m.
- Sept. 27: Memorial Elementary from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Oct. 8: Otto Middle School from 6-8 p.m.
- Oct. 11: Meadows Elementary School from 9-11 a.m.
