RISD survey to gauge community preferences on new school design

The glass construction option for the elementary school on White Rock Trail

Richardson ISD officials have some decisions to make about the exterior design of the new elementary school they plan to build on White Rock Trail, and they’re hoping to get input from the community via a quick online survey.

You can take the survey here.

The questionnaire boils down to three simple points: how many stories/floors should the school be, where should the play area be located and what materials should the façade be made of?

The office buildings at White Rock Trail and Walnut Hill were purchased by RISD in April to alleviate current and expected future overcrowding at White Rock Elementary, but the property has some imperfections. It slopes steeply toward the DART tracks and creek behind it and DART holds a narrow pedestrian easement along Walnut Hill, meaning access to the school must be via White Rock Trail only. (In their site review, RISD architect Corgan recommended working with the city to bring the “unimproved, two lane asphalt road” to “current city of Dallas standards.”) And the tract is small – much smaller than WRE’s generous footprint. That’s why RISD, which plans a school for approximately 750 students, needs to build skyward.

Question One on the survey regards whether to build two stories (Scheme A) or three (Scheme B) over a two-story semi-underground parking garage. Keeping students on two floors means kids of the same age/grade are more likely to be on the same level, even as enrollment fluctuates from year to year and classroom assignments change. Additional dirtwork to allow for building on the sloped tract and construction of a larger footprint will cost almost a million dollars more. In addition, taking more land for the school means leaving less room for green space and playground.

Building a three-story school, also, is an imperfect solution.

According to a letter on the RISD website, “choosing a three-story configuration would require a zoning variance process with the City of Dallas that could potentially extend the completion date.”

Question Two regards the placement of the play area – whether to push the building forward toward White Rock Trail and the playground back toward the DART tracks or vice versa.

Question Three asks about aesthetic preferences: a modern building with extensive use of glass or a traditional one with a brick front.

No mention was made of deed restrictions by RISD, though some neighbors who oppose the site have latched onto the limitations, hoping they will be the final straw that forces RISD to locate and purchase another site.

In 1978, when Larry and Katherine Jenniges sold the property to Karl Lippard, Trustee, the parties hammered out – and the City of Dallas adopted – a set of deed restrictions, which you may read online here. A few seem on point to limit what RISD may do on the property, or at least require approval of the city first.

Restriction #5 states, in part, that that “no building on the property shall exceed twenty-four (24) feet in height; buildings shall be of masonry construction.” It’s not clear if RISD’s heavy glass option fits within the “masonry construction” rule, but a third floor certainly exceeds 24 feet. Restrictions #1 and 2 have been most in contention, however. They specify that “the property may be used for the following purposes,” and lists “single family detached houses; bank or savings and loan office without drive-in windows; medical, dental or optical clinic; or general office.” Conversely, “the property shall not be used for the treatment of drug addiction, alcoholism, abnormal behaviorism, or mental health oriented practices or physical fitness training, other than incidentally related to the practice of a licensed medical doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist. The property shall not be used for any type of retail sales.” Though “school” is not listed within the prohibited uses, it, also, is not listed within the permitted uses. RISD has taken the position that they may proceed. Adam McGough, Dallas City Councilman for District 10, which includes most of Lake Highlands, has said RISD must get city approval. He has been following the case closely and listening to complaints of neighbors who believe the tract is a poor choice for a school site. He has said he will advocate at City Hall for what the neighborhood wants – whether or not it’s what RISD recommends.

You can see more detailed school designs and information here. RISD trustees and staff have said they’d like to open the new school in August of 2018. They are expected to review survey results at their study session August 15.