Bee Caves Readiness Center Major Maintenance in Austin, TX

The Bee Caves Readiness Center at 480 St. Stephens School Road in Austin is undergoing a major renovation project valued at $6,040,000. This 63,873 sq ft facility, owned by the Texas Military Department, is scheduled for construction to begin in November 2026 and is targeted for January 2028. The project was registered with TDLR in July 2026, with plan review pending.

Scope and Design

Freese and Nichols Inc. serves as the design firm of record for this significant interior and exterior overhaul. The scope of work includes comprehensive architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, fire alarm, and IT/telecom trades inside the building. Exterior improvements involve site civil modifications and utility upgrades. Marcela Abadi Rhoads is the registered accessibility specialist associated with the filing.

The estimated cost of $95 per square foot is close to the Travis County median of $103 for similar renovation and alteration filings. However, the total project cost places it above the county median, which stands at $297,371 for this type of work. The scheduled build window of 427 days is longer than the county median of 98 days, reflecting the complexity of the multi-trade improvements.

Regional Context and Ownership

The Texas Military Department has six other TDLR-registered projects in the state, including readiness centers in Seguin, Kilgore, Greenville, Dallas, and San Angelo. These other projects total $55,981,000 and are also in the project registered status. Freese and Nichols Inc. has designed several other large-scale infrastructure and municipal projects, such as the Frisco No.4 Pump Station and the Grapevine Water Treatment Plant.

City of Austin permit records indicate at least 25 permits on file at this specific street address. Recent activity includes mechanical, building, plumbing, and electrical permits issued between July 2025 and August 2026. The most recent permit involves connecting a Generac 28KW generator to an existing natural gas meter.

This project involves public funds and public land. The Bee Caves Readiness Center is part of a broader network of military facilities undergoing maintenance and modernization across Texas. The renovation aims to update critical infrastructure systems while maintaining the facility's operational capacity. The specific trades involved ensure that both the structural integrity and the technological capabilities of the center are enhanced. The project status remains project registered.