Plano Director of Neighborhood Services Curtis Howard presented two city staff reports at a Dec. 8 meeting detailing Plano residents’ feedback on the future development of the campuses.
City officials held several open house meetings through September and October to gather community input, Howard said. Approximately 354 residents attended the six meetings, according to city documents.
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 Elementary, Forman Elementary and Armstrong Middle schools.
Carpenter Middle also closed but remains under PISD ownership. Plano approved funding to purchase the three campuses earlier this year, and the city is in the process of purchasing the properties, according to city documents.
Additionally, all four campuses are currently being demolished by PISD.
Breaking it down
Davis Elementary:
282 residents attended the Davis Elementary sessions, and 84.5% of respondents were in support of expanding Caddo Park, according to city documents.
Howard said many residents felt that Davis Elementary is the “heart of the community” and the property’s future should match the character of the neighborhood.
Most residents were opposed to any kind of housing development, with only 3.1% of respondents supporting housing as a first-choice option for the Davis property.
Of the respondents who supported or were neutral on housing, city documents show about 15% preferred single-family detached homes out of the presented housing options, which included single-family detached, patio homes, townhomes and duplexes.
Armstrong Middle and Forman Elementary:
According to city documents, 72 residents attended the Armstrong Middle and Forman Elementary meetings.
82.5% of respondents supported additional green space or recreational amenities, and 17.5% supported housing as their preferred use, according to city documents.
Similar to Davis, single-family detached homes were the preferred housing option.
Residents generally supported the proposed relocation of Fire Station No. 3 to the Forman property, according to city documents.
With the former Armstrong and Forman campuses being within 600 feet of each other, city documents state that residents said the two school closures are “devastating” and that the neighborhood will be “disproportionally affected.”
What they’re saying
Plano Neighborhood Engagement Manager Stephanie Peacock said at the Sept. 24 community meeting that City Council will have the final decision on the properties’ future following community input.
Peacock said the land for both Davis Elementary and Armstrong Middle is zoned single-family residential, which would allow some kinds of housing developments or green space.
Plano resident Arthur Allen said he hopes the city can find an open space or public space solution as opposed to housing.
“Some of the concerns of the residents in the area is that the city hasn’t even bought this property yet, but they already have designs for these houses [and] apartments,” Allen said. “A lot of residents really feel like it’s a done deal.”
What’s next?
Howard said the city is in the process of finalizing the purchase of the properties, and no decisions have been made about the future of the properties.
Residents can find more information on the city’s website.
