EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Overgrown weeds and grass at a former East El Paso elementary school are raising concerns among residents living nearby.

Bonham Elementary School, located at 7024 Cielo Vista Dr., closed in 2021 as part of El Paso Independent School District’s consolidation plan after the district cited low enrollment. The campus served students in grades pre-K through fifth grade for decades.

In April 2024, the City of El Paso approved purchasing the property, with plans to convert the site into a new police regional command center.

City Council votes to purchase Bonham Elementary to serve as new command center for police

Chris Pickett, who lives nearby, says the campus holds personal significance for his family. He attended Bonham Elementary as a child, and his children and grandchildren also went to school there. His father previously served as an assistant principal at the campus.

Pickett says while the school sat vacant following its closure, the property was still maintained. He says overgrown weeds, grass and trash are now visible across the site.

“They did board up the windows about six months ago. They’ve taken some things out, but the property itself is just terrible. I keep my property in great shape. I think everybody else should,” Pickett said.

Video recorded by KTSM crews in April 2024 shows the condition of the campus around the same time the city approved buying the property.

Current footage shows weeds reaching nearly halfway up nearby signage and partially obstructing a fire hydrant.

Pickett says he supports the city’s long-term plans to bring a police regional command center to the site and believes it would benefit the neighborhood. He says he hopes maintenance issues will be addressed as plans move forward.

According to the City of El Paso’s EP311 program, maintaining vegetation is the responsibility of the property owner. City officials say residents can report concerns, such as overgrown weeds, by calling 311.

KTSM reached out to the City of El Paso regarding the condition of the property. City officials say they are working to provide an update on the project and maintenance plans. Updates will be shared as more information becomes available.

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