The school hasn’t been used since 2022, when students and programs were relocated to a new facility.

AUSTIN, Texas — The city of Austin is moving forward with a plan to convert an old school building into housing, despite pushback from neighbors. 

KVUE reported back in December about the plan to convert Austin ISD’s old Rosedale Elementary campus in Central Austin. The school has been unused since 2022, when students and programs were relocated to a new facility on Silvercrest Drive. In October 2024, the AISD Board officially declared the site as surplus property.

This week, Austin’s zoning and platting commission looked at the plans and voted 9-2 to recommend the city to rezone the building for multi-family units instead of single family housing. 

The district said selling it to a developer will help offset their budget deficit. The district has actually sued neighbors to try and push forward with rezoning.

However, neighbors told committee members the project would disrupt the character of the neighborhood and bring traffic and safety concerns to nearby roads. They’re continuing to urge Austin ISD to rethink its plans before the city moves further with this process.

Neighbors also argue the city shouldn’t take any action until Austin ISD’s lawsuit over rezoning is resolved. The commission voted to pass this discussion along to the full city council for consideration.