Texas Tech Student Transforms Shuttered Panhandle School Into Community Hub

The Texas Panhandle's once-closed elementary school now serves as a community center and mosque. This revitalization comes after a Texas Tech University student acquired and renovated the previously vacant property in just over a month.

In January, Mohamad Altabaa acquired the former Arnett Elementary School and swiftly initiated its transformation into The Unity Center in anticipation of Ramadan, which commenced on February 17. The center celebrated its official grand opening on Sunday, inviting local residents to a community barbecue following a significant volunteer service project held the previous day.

“The past 45 days have been nothing short of extraordinary,” Altabaa stated in a video released on Tuesday, showcasing the remarkable transformation. “The journey has been tumultuous, exceeding all expectations, but with gratitude, we can finally declare that we have reached the finish line.”

According to earlier reports from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Arnett Elementary School ceased operations in 2011. For over ten years, the structure remained unoccupied.

The facility, now known as The Unity Center, features recreational areas and a mosque, which organizers assert is welcoming to individuals of all faiths. In his capacity as president of the nonprofit, Altabaa documented the redevelopment through an eight-part video series shared on social media, which garnered thousands of likes and hundreds of comments from viewers.

Members of the community connected to the former school attended the reopening event.

Freddy Brajas, a resident of Lubbock and former student of Arnett Elementary, expressed his thoughts on the ongoing project, stating, “I came to check out this little project they got going here, and it’s coming out pretty good.” “I attended this school as a child, and it appears significantly transformed.”

The center officially launched its public initiative on Saturday with a volunteer event, during which participants packaged 30,000 meals intended for residents facing homelessness in Lubbock. Organizers have stated that the initiative embodies the center's overarching goal of extending its services to the local community and transcends traditional religious programming.

Altabaa announced plans to establish a welcoming gathering space in north Lubbock to promote service, recreation, and interfaith connections within the community.

City officials have yet to announce any formal collaboration with the center; however, local residents at the opening characterized the initiative as a beneficial repurposing of a previously unoccupied site.