Security Vestibule - Zilker in Austin, TX

Zilker Elementary School in Austin completed a targeted security vestibule renovation at 1900 Bluebonnet Ln. The project, filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) as Security Vestibule - Zilker, involved an interior remodel of an existing school structure. The scope covered 140 sq ft of space with an estimated cost of $160,000. Construction began in May 2025 and concluded with a final inspection passed in December 2025. TDLR closed the project file in February 2026, marking the end of the accessibility review process for this construction.

Austin Independent School District served as the owner of record for this renovation. Smith Holt Architecture and Project Management was the registered design firm, while Mark S Robinson acted as the registered accessibility specialist. The project utilized public funds and occurred on public land. The filing was registered in April 2025, with plan review completed in the same month. The scheduled build window was 67 days, which is shorter than the county median of 98 days for similar renovation and alteration projects in Travis County.

Financially, the project cost $1143 per square foot. This figure is above the county median of $103 per square foot for renovation and alteration filings. However, the total estimated cost of $160,000 is below the county median of $299,975 for this project type. The size of 140 sq ft is significantly smaller than the median size of 3,800 sq ft for comparable projects in the region. These metrics reflect a high-cost-per-unit renovation typical of specialized security upgrades within existing educational facilities.

Local Context and Related Filings

The ZIP code 78704, where the school is located, has a population of about 50,479 according to U.S. Census ACS 2023 five-year estimates. The median household income in this area is $97,160, and the median owner-occupied home value is $862,000. Housing in this area is mostly renter-occupied, with approximately 29,959 housing units recorded. City of Austin permit records show six permits on file at this street address, issued between September 2024 and October 2025. These include building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits, with declared valuations totaling $20,000.

Austin Independent School District has six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $8,112,002, including Covington Middle School and Noack Sports Complex. Smith Holt Architecture and Project Management has been involved in six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $1,420,000, such as Galindo Elementary School and Blanton Elementary School. The Travis County unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in August 2026, according to FRED data. This project represents a specific, completed update to the school's security infrastructure, distinct from larger capital improvements in the district's portfolio.