Agua Dulce Independent School District - Welding Lab Expansion

Agua Dulce Independent School District is expanding its welding program at 1603 Hearn Ave, Agua Dulce, TX 78330. The project adds 2,400 sq ft to an existing metal welding building, creating a new shop, classroom, restrooms, office, and storage space. This expansion is registered with TDLR and involves public funds, with an estimated cost of $2,000,000.

The construction was scheduled to begin in February 2025, and the filing indicates the project is targeted for December 2026. The registered accessibility specialist for this work is Jose Ricardo Guerrero, while Jimmy E. Padilla is the owner of record. The project was formally registered with TDLR in December 2025, and plan review is pending.

Project Scale and Cost

At $833 per square foot, this project’s cost per unit area is above the county median of $167 for similar additions to existing buildings in Nueces County. The total estimated cost of $2,000,000 places it in the top quarter of comparable filings in the area. The scheduled build window of 672 days is longer than the county median of 182 days for this type of work.

Local Context

The project is located in ZIP code 78330, which has an estimated population of about 429 residents according to U.S. Census ACS 2023 five-year estimates. The median household income in this area is $50,000, and the median owner-occupied home value is $87,100. Housing in this ZIP code is predominantly owner-occupied, with 190 housing units recorded.

Nueces County’s unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in July 2026, higher than a year earlier. This project contributes to the local construction activity in a small, rural community within Nueces County. The addition of specialized vocational facilities like a welding lab supports educational infrastructure in the region.