thereview VOL. 64, ISSUE 5
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL
FEBRUARY 2013
LAND HO!
IAN MELLOR-CRUMMEY
Planning for the future With 13.4 acres of new land, shaded above in green, SJS now owns familiar campus spots, including the St. Luke’s parking lot, Taub Field (middle left) and the patch of land originally intended for the school garden. The River Oaks Plant House (above right), Blanco’s Bar (middle right) and the building that once housed a psychic (bottom right) now sit on SJS property.
Race against time leads to purchase of Taub property, expands campus by 45 percent BY ALYYAH MALICK AND IMAN CHARANIA As the clock ticked down on the last day in 2012, the Board of Trustees completed a daring venture: the rapid acquisition of a large chunk of land across Buffalo Speedway that otherwise would have been lost to commercial development. Following a short three months of negotiations between lawyers and a hectic three-week search for philanthropic support that yielded over $26 million, Board of Trustees Chair Ann Stern (’75) secured the land by signing a contract with representatives from the Taub family at the Stewart Title Residential Properties office near the Galleria. The idea of acquiring land first arose at an August retreat when the Board discussed the school’s future. “I don’t think anyone back in August would have anticipated that we would actually be working on the purchase of land, but luck and happenstance came together,” Headmaster Mark Desjardins said. The school first heard about the availability of the neighboring Taub property in late September when the owners, siblings H. Ben (’70), Marcy (’74) and Kitch Taub (’76), contemplated developing the land
on either side of Taub Field. They planned to construct three or four high-rise towers by May 2013. “The Taubs were considering multiple projects that included office, residential and commercial entities,” Desjardins said. “We were concerned about how that development might infringe upon the school both in the short term and long term.” If the land were developed, the chances of acquiring it at a later date would diminish greatly, a looming specter that prompted the trustees to seriously consider the possibility of purchasing the property. “I think it’s a great move on the part of the school both because it allows increased flexibility in the long run in terms of campus facility, and I think it’s also wise because if we didn’t buy it, someone else would and develop it commercially, and then we’d have increased traffic congestion,” Head of Upper School Kef Wilson said. On Sept. 20, Desjardins met with Stern, Vice Chair John Moody (’67) and the three Taubs at the River Oaks Country Club to express an interest in the property. The Taubs initially stated they would need
six to 12 months to decide the best use for the land. Informal negotiations began in mid-October and proceeded slowly until late November, when the Board learned that the Taubs wanted to sell by Dec. 31, before taxes increased in 2013. “The unexpected availability of the land put in motion a series of negotiations that had multiple twists and turns,” Desjardins said. Discarded options included purchasing part of the land or making a swap, possibly for Caven Field. The Board’s support of the purchase depended on philanthropic assistance, so the school met with an elite group of donors in early December. Many of the details fell into place within three weeks. “The timing forced a compressed process whereby some of the school’s most historically generous benefactors were asked quickly whether or not they felt like the school should move forward,” Director of Advancement Mark Dini said. “Their encouragement and indications of support are a large reason why the acquisition was completed.” Continued on Page 2
GUNS This issue’s centerspread is dedicated to the topic of guns and their role in our community. In light of the recent debate regarding gun control, read two differing opinions on the subject as well as a third stance that comes from a military perspective.
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NEWS FEATURES ENTERTAINMENT BEYOND CENTERSPREAD OPINIONS SPORTS ODDS & ENDS
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