Live Oak Classical School has been considering the former lumber mill site as a sports complex.
Live Oak Classical Head of School Alison Moffatt declined comment, saying via email that the sports complex proposal is preliminary.
The Plan Commission applicant, Michael Hillman of M.T. Hillman Investments, also declined comment Monday.
In an interview Tuesday, Peters said he understands Hillman controls the property and may donate it to Live Oak Classical School if and when procedural hurdles are cleared.
He said the city was willing to consider abandoning the right-of-way, “but if there is a public need, if Oncor potentially will put a substation there, we’re not going to do anything that would jeopardize a public utility. Until there is a resolution, we would not recommend abandonment.”
He said Oncor has transmission lines along 26th Street, and has mentioned a substation and lines running into downtown.
Bobby Horner, in the city’s inspection services department, said he’s heard nothing official about any plans Live Oak may have for the site, though he is familiar with expansion projects around Live Oak’s downtown campus, 420 S. Fifth St.
In 2019, Live Oak began play on a new field at Fifth Street and Webster Avenue, across the street from the Magnolia Silos.
Live Oak earlier this year secured a building permit valued at $2 million for a downtown competition gymnasium, according to the Associated General Contractors office, and work is now underway.
