Houston School Building One Step Closer To Getting Historic Designation

Supporters trying to get a former El Paso elementary school designated a historic building cleared another hurdle Thursday afternoon.

The Houston School of Choice, formerly Houston Elementary, is 89 years old. City Plan commissioners voted to approve a zoning change that would place a historic overlay on the building after hearing a presentation from a planner with the city’s Planning and Economic Development Department.

The historic overlay makes it so the building’s owner, the El Paso Independent School District in this case, would be responsible for maintaing the facility’s outward appearance in accordance to its original architectual style. It also places more protections on the building should someone want to demolish it at some point.

EPISD officials have expressed concerns over what the historic designation would do to the school district’s budget. Planners told City Plan commissioners they did not forsee the designation having a significant impact on the budget because the school is in “remarkable” condition.

The final decision on the designation will be made at an El Paso City Council meeting.