Board approves purchase of 1247 South Gene Autry Trail for Expanded Learning and storage; closing set for next day
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Summary
The Palm Springs Unified School District board approved purchase of an 8,288‑square‑foot building at 1247 South Gene Autry Trail for Expanded Learning and storage, negotiating a $2.4 million purchase price and planning roughly $2.0 million in tenant improvements funded with ELOP and redevelopment funds.
The Palm Springs Unified School District board approved a resolution ratifying the final purchase and sale agreement for a district-owned building the district plans to use for Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) operations, program materials storage and short-term office space.
Julie Arthur, executive director of facilities and planning, briefed the board on the site identified as 1247 South Gene Autry Trail, which she said includes an approximately 8,288‑square‑foot tilted‑concrete building on a roughly 33,000‑square‑foot parcel with substantial parking and roll-up doors that can support program storage and supply distribution. Arthur said the property sits near the Desert Springs Water District and is already equipped with several systems — notably HVAC units and electrical switch gear from a prior “growth facility” conversion — that reduce the scope of upgrades the district must make.
Negotiated price and improvements: Arthur said the property was initially listed at $2.8 million and the district negotiated the price to $2.4 million. The architect’s initial estimate for tenant improvements is roughly $2.0 million; Arthur said that combination would bring the building-to‑ready total to approximately $4.0 million, with the expectation that ELOP grant funds and redevelopment funds will pay a portion over multiple years. She told the board the facility could be used for storage immediately and that staff plan to finalize a working drawings package, bid the tenant improvements, complete construction, and move in — a process Arthur estimated could take roughly 12 months for full conversion, though parts of the building are immediately usable.
Security and operations: Board members asked about security, loss prevention and storage of materials. Arthur said the building already contains a substantial camera infrastructure from its former use and that the district will deploy additional cameras as needed. Student Services and Expanded Learning staff will determine which materials will be stored at the site; high-value technology and district inventory will continue to be processed through the district warehouse and cannot be left unsecured.
Funding and timeline: Arthur said the district will spend about $2.0 million of ELOP funds this fiscal year on the purchase and initial improvements and expects to use another tranche of ELOP funding next year for additional work. She told the board the district was fortunate that many major systems (HVAC and switch gear) are in good condition, which reduced the work required relative to a new build on district land.
Board action: The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution authorizing the district to close escrow, accept the purchase, and proceed with tenant-improvement planning. Arthur said the district planned to close escrow the day after the meeting and that staff would begin initial site walks, keying and logistics immediately.
