Paws up, Panthers! As the summer comes to an end and Austin ISD prepares for a school year like no other, 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 modernized facility that will serve both the Eastside Memorial Early College High School and International High School at the Original L.C. Anderson campus. As part of the 2017 Bond Program, construction began in January 2019 and has stayed on schedule for a summer 2021 opening. See below for the latest progress on this project. 

Building 1
Significant progress is being made on Building 1, the one-story portion of the original structure being rebuilt with many of the original materials to resemble L.C. Anderson High School. Roofing and waterproofing work wrapped up in early August and window installation and drywall operations are now in progress. Once windows are in place, brick work will begin at the north elevation and work around the building before moving south.
 
Building 2
Work is also well underway on Building 2, the new four-story structure that will house the majority of the learning studios along with the gymnasium and second-story running track. With the completion of roofing and waterproofing on Building 1, crews are now beginning this work on Building 2. Sheathing and interior framing began with the first level, and crews are moving up to levels two and three. Similarly, overhead mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is progressing at level one and moving up through the tower.
 
Yellow Jacket Field House
The walls of the Yellow Jacket Field House have been completed, and steel crews are now working on the roof structure. Following the roof installation, waterproofing will begin and the brick veneer will be installed.
 
Ground Work
Footings for the detention pond walls have been excavated and will be poured soon. Once the footings are complete, walls will be formed and poured. Utility crews will then move forward with bringing the water quality ponds online.

Original L.C. Anderson Legacy Walls

When the new Eastside Memorial Early College High School and International High School opens at 900 Thompson Street next year, the presence of L.C. Anderson High School in the new building will be unmistakable. In addition to several historical re-creations of the original structure, built in 1953, the new school will have dedicated community space and an exhibition gallery for the Original L.C. Anderson Alumni Association to host meetings and lead public tours.
 
The school will also feature three corridor displays devoted to capturing the lasting legacy of Austin’s only Black public high school during the segregation era. Architecture firm Perkins & Will, whose Austin studio designed the new facility, brought in exhibition and branding experts from its Atlanta studio to help the Alumni Association tell the century-long story of the high school until its closure in 1971. The design of the Legacy Walls documented in the black and gold school colors show Anderson’s commitment to the “pursuit of excellence” in photographs, the school song and mascot, a timeline that weaves together the history of the high school with the history of Black public education in Austin, and stories about the academics, arts, and athletics that made Anderson a strong community and educational force.

Tell us your Eastside Story!

As Eastside Memorial Early College High School and International High School prepare to transition into this incredible new facility, a committee has been formed to capture stories and commemorate the campus and Vertical Team in the new building.

The committee needs your help gathering stories to contribute to the content of the legacy displays. These stories will be used to help display the school’s dynamic history and will be infused in the curriculum. Please share your Eastside story and help us collect more from the Vertical Team by sharing this information with your network. Click here for tools to post on social media.

Stay Involved

Stay up to date on this modernization project and all upcoming meetings and events by visiting the bond website at www.AISDFuture.com/schools/eastside-memorial-echs.
 
If you have any questions about the 2017 Bond Program, please reach out to the bond communications team at 512-414-9595 or future@austinisd.org.