Wood Health Sciences Building in Odessa, TX

The Wood Health Sciences Building at Odessa College represents a significant expansion of the campus at 201 W. University in Odessa, Texas. This new four-story academic structure spans 83,581 square feet, marking a substantial increase in the institution's physical footprint in Ector County. The project was registered with TDLR in February 2022, with construction starting in April of that same year. The estimated cost for the development was $35,000,000, which calculates to $419 per square foot.

JSA Architects, Inc. served as the design firm of record for this new construction project. The scope of work included the building itself along with associated sitework and structures. The funding source for the project involved public funds, reflecting the college's status as a public junior college serving the Permian Basin. The construction window was scheduled for 728 days, a period longer than the county median for similar new construction filings.

TDLR closed the project file in March 2024, which marks the end of the accessibility review process for this construction. The completion date listed on the filing was March 2024, and the TDLR status is recorded as Project Closed. This status indicates that the regulatory review phase associated with the construction has been finalized. The project is one of several registered by Odessa College, which has six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $22,872,000 in the region.

Context and Comparison

Compared to other new construction filings in Ector County, this project stands out for its scale. The estimated cost is above the county median for its type, placing it in the top quarter of comparable projects. The median estimated cost for new construction in the county is $778,500, while the median size is 6,050 square feet. This project’s size and cost significantly exceed these regional averages, reflecting its role as a major academic facility.

The area surrounding the college has a population of about 26,805 residents, with a median household income of $68,367. Housing in the ZIP code 79764 is mostly owner-occupied, with a median owner-occupied home value of $150,400. Odessa College, established in 1946, serves the people of Ector County and the broader Permian Basin region. The addition of the Wood Health Sciences Building supports the college’s mission to provide high-quality education and resources to the community.