As Austin ISD moves through this unique school year, we hope you and your families are doing well and staying healthy. In this busy time, we want to take a moment to provide an update on the James Bowie High School modernization project. As part of the 2017 Bond Program, JBHS will receive Phase 1 of a full modernization of the existing facility. Projects include parking improvements and additions and renovations to the Athletics and Fine Arts facilities. Check out the below video celebrating the parking garage completion, and continue reading to learn more about the modernization project.

We are pleased to announce that the new parking structure equipped with tennis courts on the top level is now complete and will be ready for students when face-to-face instruction resumes. The new parking structure is an exciting addition to the campus, but also a necessary one. In order to meet City of Austin code while modernizing the campus, JBHS needs to comply with the parking requirements established through an interlocal agreement between AISD and the City of Austin, and have a net reduction in impervious cover on site. By building up instead of out, JBHS can accommodate far more student and faculty drivers than previous years and reduce water run off by reducing the amount of impervious cover on site. The marching band lot is another exciting addition that will benefit students as they will no longer need to travel to the Burger Activity Center for practice. In the coming days, students and families will receive additional details about the JBHS parking plan and the campus’ new traffic flow.

Now that the parking improvements are complete, work on the Fine Arts and Athletics facilities is underway. Construction on the new athletics facility, which will include a competition gym, practice gym, weight room, training rooms, and administrative offices, kicked-off in June and is expected to be complete next summer. Improvements to the fine arts facilities including renovation of existing spaces and the expansion of the JBHS auditorium are expected to begin this fall and wrap up in Summer 2022.

With the start of school just around the corner, we know there are many questions about what the upcoming fall semester will look like. For the most up-to-date information about AISD’s reopening plan, please visit www.austinisd.org/covid19.