Galena Park ISD reviews design for Cimarron Elementary replacement
Summary
District facilities staff and the project architect presented site and floor‑plan designs for the Cimarron Elementary replacement, including an underground detention system, sidewalk easements, phased construction to keep the school in operation during work, and plans for abatement and demolition of the existing building after occupancy.
Ed Martier, Galena Park ISD director of facilities planning and construction, and Ron Keller, vice president with Rice and Gardner, presented the design development for the Cimarron Elementary School replacement and answered brief questions from the board.
Martier and Keller outlined the site plan, saying the detention basin will be located underground in the southeast corner near the school’s main entrance and that the district will place sidewalks inside its property where the city requested easements. They said those sidewalks will be paid for by the district as part of the project’s right-of-way accommodations.
On phasing, the presenters said the contractor will fence the construction area so the existing campus can continue operating while the new building is completed; once the new portion is ready, the district will abate hazardous materials in the older building, demolish it, and complete parking and athletic fields. The team described interior programming: a two‑story instructional wing, a curved administrative front with a naturally lit vestibule, a fine‑arts wing with two art rooms plus music and dance, small‑group instruction areas, terrazzo flooring and acoustical baffles in public circulation spaces.
Martier said the project team is addressing a small number of remaining city comments before seeking permitting. No formal action was taken on this item; the presentation was given for board information.
The board thanked the presenters and moved on to other agenda items.
