SEALY ISD PURSUING PROPERTIES
The Sealy ISD is in the process of acquiring several properties by the football stadium along Highway 90, and some property owners are willing to sell and others may be forcing the district into condemnation proceedings.
The district is in the process of purchasing the pink Best Budget Inn next to the stadium as well as the Pueblo Motel, in which they are still attempting to reach an agreement.
The district purchased the motel property for approximately $300,000, with the money coming from the district’s fund balance.
The school district may have to exercise eminent domain over vacant building to the west of Best Budget Inn and the Pueblo Motel and pursue condemnation hearings, although the district wishes to just purchase the property out of court.
The district wants the motel, building and lot next to the stadium for parking and the other properties for future development. It has not yet been determined what that will be but said it will likely be a new early childhood education center or new district offices.
New offices would allow the district to return rooms it now occupies to the intermediate and junior high schools.
The vacant building is most likely the old restaurant that has been gone for decades now.
I’m not surprised they’re trying to acquire the buildings though – the parking at the stadium has never been good even when the junior high was the high school, and this will help keep roads clear during regular season.
That said, if they have some minor issues, I am hoping they do NOT use this as an excuse to try and get a new stadium. I’ve seen many 3A (now 4A) stadiums in the state, and Sealy’s is one of the best ones out there, so why give up a good thing? This is the logical way to handle the growth.