Out with the old, in with the new at AISD

The Austin Independent School District is taking the next steps to sell several of its buildings, including its headquarters at the Carruth Administration Building on Sixth Street. “This is a positive step forward. AISD is among the largest land owners in the city. Along with that comes the responsibility to make determinations regarding properties and facilities so that we’re effectively and efficiently planning for the future,” said Superintendent Paul Cruz about the sale in a press release. The district stands to garner over $60 million from the property sale. Along with the sale of these properties, the board is also set to approve the purchase of the Southfield Building at 4000 I-35. The location of this building as a new headquarters is attractive because of its proximity to Interstate 35 and Ben White Boulevard, creating easy access, as opposed to the heavy downtown traffic situation that surrounds the Carruth building. The new larger building also allows for several departments that have previously been housed in different locations to come together. In addition, AISD’s Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley Johnson said in the release that “The contracts we are looking to execute require the developer to provide 25% affordable housing units.”