Skip to main content
GermantownNews

Germantown begins to envision Houston High’s future

By October 4, 2022No Comments

Houston High has seen a few changes since it opened in 1989, but the Germantown Board of Education is beginning to think about the long-term future and improvements to the high school.

<strong>The Germantown Board of Education is reviewing conceptual plans for Houston High. Conceptual plans look at both academic and athletic needs.</strong> (Courtesy Fleming Architects)
The Germantown Board of Education is reviewing conceptual plans for Houston High. Conceptual plans look at both academic and athletic needs. (Courtesy Fleming Architects)

During a recent Board of Education meeting, Fleming Architects presented a few scenarios to the suburban school district, giving the high school an overdue facelift. If the board were to accept all of Fleming’s recommendations, the price could run as high as $133 million to $145 million. Whether they take the most expensive route will depend on studies and public meetings regarding the improvements.

There will be community and stakeholder input through town hall-type sessions as the board wants priorities to reflect the desires of the community. The board has not taken any action to this point. It’s still in conceptual phases.

“We’re just getting the party started,” Angela Griffith, school board chairwoman, said by phone.

Fleming presented two options, but both include a significant change in appearance to the school’s dated look from Wolf River Boulevard.

“We are going to create a place where the community will want to come,” Scott Fleming, president of Fleming Architects, said. “Where people who are looking to move to Germantown will say, ‘That’s where I want my children to be a part.’”

<strong>Fleming Architects presented two versions of a conceptual plan for Houston High School.</strong> (Courtesy Fleming Architects)
Fleming Architects presented two versions of a conceptual plan for Houston High School. (Courtesy Fleming Architects)

<strong>Option A features a three-story classroom wing, increased surface parking and a new performing arts center.</strong> (Courtesy Fleming Architects)
Option A features a three-story classroom wing, increased surface parking and a new performing arts center. (Courtesy Fleming Architects)

One option includes a new three-story classroom wing, increased surface parking and a new performing arts center. Both plans include a new fine arts wing, a new courtyard and a 300-seat lecture hall.

Suburban school districts use federal relief funds for various needs

However, a second option would keep some existing space and only include a two-story classroom wing. The second plan also includes a parking garage. The first plan would increase the current parking from 716 spaces to 1,187. The garage option would take the total parking spaces to 1,263.

<strong>Both Option A and Option B envision a new football practice field.</strong> (Courtesy Fleming Architects)
Both Option A and Option B envision a new football practice field. (Courtesy Fleming Architects)

<strong>Option B features a two-story classroom wing and a parking garage.</strong> (Courtesy Fleming Architects)
Option B features a two-story classroom wing and a parking garage. (Courtesy Fleming Architects)

Sports were not excluded from consideration.

“This addresses all the athletic components,” Fleming said. “I think the only athletics we don’t address are swimming and golf.”

Both plans envision a new football practice field with an eight-lane practice track. It also presents a new indoor practice facility, a perk at Collierville High, Fleming noted. There also is a proposal to slightly shift the baseball stadium so baseball and football can share a plaza area. A new football stadium is also suggested. The gym and locker rooms would be renovated under both plans with a wrestling gym included in the conceptual plans.

 

Read more: https://dailymemphian.com/section/metro/article/31259/germantown-board-considers-houston-high-renovations