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Board votes 5–1 to demolish vacant Sam Houston Elementary despite calls to market property first
Summary
Trustees approved bids for abatement and demolition of the old Sam Houston campus at a cost of $316,460 (including a $40,000 contingency) after debate over whether to advertise the property for sale first; opponents argued the board should explore sale to avoid demolition expense.
The San Angelo ISD board voted 5–1 to accept bids to abate and demolish the vacant Sam Houston Elementary campus, approving Rees Albert Trucking for demolition and AML Environmental for abatement at a combined cost of $316,460, which includes a $40,000 contingency. Administration explained the campus is vacant following reassignments and detailed the planned scope: remove the building, footings and playground equipment, level the site and leave perimeter fencing in place.
The motion prompted extended discussion. Several trustees argued demolition would clear a long‑vacant property, remove neighborhood blight and produce a raw, developable lot that could generate more tax revenue than a boarded‑up building. Other trustees, led by one who had inspected the building, urged exploring public interest and potential offers before spending taxpayer funds on demolition. That trustee noted the building is ‘‘in really good shape’’ and urged giving the public a chance to bid before spending about $316,000 on demolition.
One trustee said a small number of residents had expressed informal interest but no formal offers were received, while administration explained the sale process would require following policy steps including offering first right of refusal to in‑district charters and invoking a public notice and competitive sealed bid process. Supporters of demolition argued the district had paused one month to solicit interest and that the recurring pattern of vacant properties left neighborhoods harmed.
The motion to award demo and abatement contracts carried 5–1. The board did not adopt a parallel motion to list the property for sale prior to demolition; trustees who opposed demolition said they may pursue a sale option in a future agenda item.
