Community Concerns and Future Plans: The Impact of SAISD’s Campus Closures on Neighborhoods. The Future Of Frederick Douglass Elementary School
As the 2023-24 school year comes to a close, broadcast, print, and social media platforms are all seeking answers about the District’s plans for the multiple properties affected by the closings of nineteen campuses, and how these changes will impact the neighborhoods.
At the request of the President of the Denver Heights Neighborhood Association, I participated in an interview with SAISD’s Repurposing contractor, The Council of Real Estate Consulting Corps. This public service program of the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) provides real estate analysis and action plans for municipalities, non-profit organizations, government entities, educational institutions, and other property owners. They will offer San Antonio ISD advice on organizing the district’s “Facility Repurposing Process” with three objectives in mind:
- Organize the project to dispose (of) all of the properties or facilities, affected by the Board’s rightsizing decision
- Design and implement a competitive process to dispose of one or more; and
- Design and implement the community engagement, from a community centered perspective.
As part of CRE’s objective, they intended to conduct interviews with community members who had relevant experience or knowledge for this project. These interviews aimed to help SAISD’s colleagues at CRE gain a deeper understanding of San Antonio’s unique context, enabling them to offer better technical assistance to SAISD.
While providing input on behalf of the Denver Heights Neighborhood Association, I emphasized the community’s significant interest in the Frederick Douglass Elementary School property. This interest is due to its proximity to Mt. Zion First Baptist Church and Inman’s Barber Shop, a historic site for civil rights activities.
I also highlighted the school’s historical importance and its influence on the overall community. Additionally, I stressed the positive impact that retaining the site would have if its repurposing included renaming it and establishing it as a Center of Technology and Growth.
I was advised that there have been “several other African American organizations”, that have expressed an interest in the Frederick Douglass site. Upon inquiry, the CRE facilitator indicated that there will be future community sessions, whereby additional input will be sought from other citizens.
There are additional options being discussed which we hope to be able to provide information on in the future.
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