GISD John W. Armstrong ES Playground Replacement in Sachse, TX

The GISD John W. Armstrong Elementary School playground replacement project in Sachse has passed its final TDLR accessibility inspection, confirming that the renovation is complete. Located at 4750 Ben Davis in Dallas County, this 7,950 sq ft renovation involved the replacement of playground equipment and surfaces, along with the installation of a new shade canopy. The project also included civil improvements such as drainage updates and sidewalk repairs.

Garland Independent School District serves as the owner of record for this initiative, which was registered with TDLR in December 2024. The estimated cost for the work was $632,156, translating to $80 per square foot. This figure is close to the Dallas County median of $73 per square foot for similar renovation and alteration filings, although the total project cost sits in the top quarter of the county’s median range. The scheduled build window of 213 days was longer than the county median of 92 days for comparable projects.

Design and Construction Details

BRW Architects was the design firm of record for the project, working with Marcela Abadi Rhoads, the registered accessibility specialist. Plan review was completed in December 2024, with construction starting in June 2025. The filing indicated a completion date of December 2025, but the final inspection was not passed until February 2026. This timeline reflects the actual duration of the work, which extended beyond the initially scheduled end date.

The project utilized public funds and took place on public land. Garland Independent School District has six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $152,982,134, including major developments at Memorial Pathway Academy and North Garland High School. BRW Architects has also been involved in six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $39,882,150, ranging from schools in Huffman to maintenance facilities in Killeen. The Sachse location sits in a ZIP code with a median household income of $129,024 and a median owner-occupied home value of $366,000, according to U.S. Census ACS 2023 five-year estimates.

With the final inspection passed, the physical construction phase is concluded. The new playground equipment, shade canopy, and improved drainage systems are now in place at the school. This project represents a significant update to the outdoor facilities at John W. Armstrong Elementary, ensuring compliance with accessibility standards and providing a safe environment for students.