Humble ISD Buys Office Complex Near Deerbook Mall

HUMBLE, TX — The Humble Independent School District has purchased an office complex near Deerbrook Mall, and plans to turned the former office complex into a new Welcome Center.

The new facility, which will 0pen sometime in 2018, is designed to serve as a one-stop customer service experience for current and prospective families and staff.

“We are thrilled to have found additional space in the heart of Humble,” Dr. Roger Brown, Deputy Superintendent, said. “This building provides convenient public access and is a cost-efficient solution. The property owner, Deerbrook Point, LP, was very cooperative in working with the district to support the community. This was a right-time, right-place opportunity for Humble ISD to meet needs as a growing district.”

The James D. Eggers Instructional Support Center, which opened in 2003 and currently provides some of those services, will continue to house curriculum staff members who interact with teachers, while departments that welcome job applicants, staff, parents and community members will move from the current Administration Building and Instructional Support Center into the complex together.

The need for additional work space was identified more than nine years ago, when voters approved a bond referendum that included enlarging the Instructional Support Center as one of the projects.

However, district leaders became concerned that expansion might not offer the best value, and while the James D. Eggers ISC could be expanded, there is not enough space on the property to provide a long-term solution with parking, officials said.

In 2008, the district explored building a new 50,000-square foot welcome center but the price estimate came back at $24 million — too high a price at a time when districts throughout Texas were struggling.

On June 5, the district purchased the office complex at 10203 Birchridge Drive for $4.5 million, which will
provide 54,939 square feet of additional space.

Departments that will be relocated into the one-stop center include Athletics, Fine Arts, Special Education, Human Resources, Community Development, Public Communications, General Counsel, Assistant Superintendents, Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent.

The new complex also will provide a job site for special education students enrolled in the Mosaic Program, which teaches independent living skills to students between the ages of 18 and 22, as well as provide internship areas for high school students in media production courses.

At the new Welcome Center, prospective families and employees will have the opportunity to learn more about Humble ISD.

"As a growing district, it’s especially important to preserve and protect what makes us special – our culture," Humble ISD Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen said. "Beyond the practical aspects, the additional space will provide an opportunity to proactively celebrate and share Humble ISD culture and history with families and staff."

The new Welcome Center property includes a five-story building, an attached one-story storefront wing with direct access to close-in parking, a detached one-story building for hosting parent and staff meetings, and adequate parking for visitors and staff.

The current Administration Building on 20200 Eastway Village Drive will continue to house the Humble ISD board room, and will also include information-technology driven departments including Financial Services, Data Quality and Accountability, Tax Office, and Technology Services. Student enrollment growth prompted the need for more space.

"The school board appreciates the foresight of the Board Building and Planning Committee and district administration in seeking a long-term solution that saves taxpayer dollars," School Board President Angela Conrad said.

Since opening the current Administration Building in 2001, the district has added 14 schools and gained 16,500 more students.

Image: Humble ISD

Follow Us On Facebook: Engage with your neighbors in the Metro Houston area and keep up with the talk of the day by liking one of our Facebook pages. Houston / Midtown Houston / Houston Heights / Galleria - River Oaks / Bellaire / Meyerland / Humble-Kingwood / Conroe-Montgomery County / Sugar Land / Pasadena / The Woodlands / Clear Lake