back in the trenches
HISD board rejects controversial bids for prime high school property
Trustees with the Houston Independent School District rejected a pair of controversial bids for a piece of property currently occupied by the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (HSLECJ).
The 11-acre property near Memorial and Shepherd went on the market in late May with a minimum bid of $40 million, catching the immediate attention of neighboring St. Thomas High School, which hopes to expand its campus.
But days before initial bids were due, a newly-formed company named AV Dickson Street puts its hat in the ring to spark a rather heated bidding war.
While HISD officials were unable to be reached for comment following the Thursday vote, school board attorney David Thompson has noted that the two parties spoke with trustees during the bidding process — thus violating the district's policy of silence.
Superintendent Terry Grier told the Houston Chronicle after the meeting that he would like to see the coveted property placed back on the market and have all interested parties start their offers anew.
"Hopefully if we do that," he said, "the bidders will take our ethics policy seriously."
Potential bidders should know that HSLECJ will remain on the property for up to five years while HISD relocates the school to another site. The district would lease the Shepherd campus from the purchaser.