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Two new Elgin Independent School District projects will repurpose vacant properties to meet growth and operational demands, representatives said.
Renovations target the former Circle Brewing facility, recently purchased by the school district, and its Stone Creek Ranch Development District property.
The brewery at 816 Lexington Road permanently closed after just four months of operation in 2023, its contents were auctioned off and the space was left mostly cleared. The district plans to use the facility’s existing office spaces for staff training and gatherings in the short term.
According to city staff, the district is running out of training spaces and needs the facility to address immediate needs. Long-term plans may transform the site into a hub for the district’s Career and Technology Education programs, though those plans remain in development.
The Stone Creek Ranch site, located near Elgin High School, was initially approved by City Council in March 2022. As part of a multifamily development agreement, a portion of the property was sold to the school district.
Elgin ISD intends to develop the tract into a new transportation center to complement its existing, overcrowded facility. The current fleet of about 75 buses will be divided between the two locations, expanding capacity and creating an east-west transportation distribution model to improve efficiency, district representatives said.
City staff noted that the district has been coordinating with TxDOT to ensure the project meets all review standards. A second phase for the transportation center is anticipated as part of the district’s 2024 bond package.
Both projects, according to the district, highlight Elgin ISD’s efforts to strategically adapt to the city’s growth while addressing immediate needs for space and infrastructure.
