At the Oct. 18 Plano ISD work session, PISD Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 16.359 acres of land to construct a performing arts facility. The $4.28 million agreement allots PISD 16.359 acres of land at the southeast quadrant of Park Boulevard and Alma Drive, just south of Kosta’s Cafe. “Administration has analyzed and considered locations near the center of the district,” according to the agenda. “Based on that analysis, a vacant tract of land was identified which would be strategically located.” The land will be purchased from Plano Riverwalk Development Partners for $6 per gross square foot, totaling about $4,278,463.20, according to the contract. Money for this purchase comes from the 2016 Bond proposition, approved in May. The bond proposition included $5 million to acquire land for and to construct the performing arts facility. The need for this facility was discussed during a Dec. 17, 2015 public hearing when community members expressed a need for a performing arts center in Plano. They said the new center needs improved acoustics, a stage and ample seating. An architect has not been hired for the project but PISD is reviewing potential architects and hope to appoint one in December or January, said Lesley Range-Stanton, executive director for communications with PISD. From there, design and bidding will take about 18 months and construction will last an additional 18 months, she said. The facility is scheduled to open January 2020.