Dripping Springs Elementary School - Envelope Replacement

Dripping Springs Elementary School is undergoing a major envelope replacement at 29400 Ranch Rd 12 A in Dripping Springs, Texas. This Level 2 alteration project involves the complete demolition and replacement of the building’s exterior finish, a scope of work that spans 17,000 square feet of the facility. The registered filing describes the work as a complete replacement of the building envelope in accordance with Type II-B construction standards, ensuring the structure meets specific safety and durability requirements.

Project Scope and Cost

The estimated cost for this renovation is $5,000,000, which translates to $294 per square foot. This figure places the project in the top quarter of renovation and alteration filings in Hays County, where the median estimated cost for similar work is $250,000. The scheduled build window of 365 days is significantly longer than the county median of 92 days for this type of project, reflecting the complexity of replacing the entire exterior skin of an operating school building. The project is privately funded on private land for private use, with Dripping Springs Independent School District listed as the owner of record.

PBK Architects, Inc. serves as the design firm for this effort, a practice that has previously worked on several other educational and commercial projects in Texas, including facilities in Houston and Wylie. The registered accessibility specialist for this filing is Kathy Ann Riley. The project was registered with TDLR in February 2026, and plan review was completed in June 2026. Construction is scheduled to start in May 2026 and is scheduled to finish in May 2027.

The site is situated in a community with a median household income of $146,551, according to U.S. Census estimates for ZIP code 78620. The area includes several local landmarks and businesses, such as the Dripping Springs Farmers Market and the Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center. Nearby registered projects in the same area include new construction for a convenience store and a station, indicating ongoing development in the Dripping Springs corridor. The school district has other active or closed projects in the county, including significant renovations at the high school and middle school campuses.

The Hays County unemployment rate was 4 percent in July 2026, higher than a year earlier. This renovation project represents a substantial investment in the local infrastructure, with a cost per square foot that is above the county median of $95. The scope of work, which includes the removal and replacement of all exterior wall finishes, is a critical component of maintaining the school’s physical infrastructure. The project status is listed as Review Complete by TDLR, with the construction timeline extending into the following year.