Preparations are underway for two multischool sites in the western portion of Cy-Fair ISD, an area poised to see thousands of new rooftops and residents in the next decade.
Demographic firm Population Survey Analysts projected 21,000 new housing units will be constructed in the far western portion of the district by 2022, prompting the district to focus on meeting future student demand in the area near the recently opened Grand Parkway.
"Residential and commercial development is going to explode in that area," CFO Stuart Snow said. "There's a lot of land there to be utilized, and that's what we're expecting in the next few years."
Located at FM 529 and Westgreen Boulevard, the 179-acre Hegar site will house an elementary, middle and high school campus, allowing students and staff to share resources and facilities. High School 11 is expected to open at the site for the 2016-17 school year, while the elementary and middle school facilities could open by 2019 and 2020. However, the timeline could change based on future growth in the district.
CFISD received approval from the board of trustees in September for the remainder of the construction contract for High School 11, including the main and commons buildings.
CFISD administrators purchased the land for the Hegar site with previous bond money and began prepping the site several years ago before much of the growth began in the area.
"We had to come in a few years ago to do drainage improvements and roadway construction as well as other improvements needed to facilitate the site once we were ready to start construction," said Roy Sprague, CFISD associate superintendent for facilities, construction and support services.
Initial design plans are underway on a second multischool site in the master-planned community of Bridgeland. The 125-acre site will be located on the east side of the Grand Parkway and west of Mason Road after it is expanded through the community. The district is in negotiations with Bridgeland to purchase the site, Sprague said.
"Our developers out here are wonderful," Superintendent Mark Henry said. "They know the value of the school system, so they work with us very closely to make sure we have the land for the educational facilities that will meet the needs of their communities."
District administrators expect High School 12 to open at the site in time for the 2017-18 school year along with Elementary School 56, Sprague said.
From a construction standpoint, a multischool site is typically more cost-efficient for the district, Sprague said, and helps with other issues on the campuses such as parking through the construction of internal boulevards to facilitate traffic on the property.
