Brooks County ISD Falfurrias HS Fire Science Lab/Classroom

Brooks County ISD is renovating the Falfurrias High School facility at 100 Jersey Dr in Falfurrias, Texas. The project, filed as Brooks County ISD Falfurrias HS Fire Science Lab/Classroom, involves a 4,000 sq ft alteration to the existing structure. The estimated cost for this renovation is $700,000, which works out to $175 per square foot. This specific scope of work focuses on the renovation of the classroom space within the high school campus.

The construction timeline for this project is defined by its registration with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. TDLR completed the plan review process in August 2026, establishing the foundation for the upcoming physical work. Construction is scheduled to finish in January 2027, with the actual start of work also occurring in August 2026. This creates a scheduled build window of 179 days from start to finish. The current status on the TDLR record is Review Complete, indicating that the regulatory approval phase is finished and the project is moving into the execution phase.

Project Context and Comparisons

This renovation fits into a broader pattern of infrastructure updates in Brooks County. Among 10 TDLR-registered renovation and alteration filings in the county over the last two years, the median estimated cost is $600,000. The Falfurrias High School project cost of $700,000 is above this county median for its type. Similarly, the median size for these projects is 4,000 sq ft, matching the size of this specific renovation exactly. However, the cost per square foot of $175 is above the county median of $100 per square foot. The scheduled build window of 179 days is also longer than the county median of 136 days, suggesting a more complex or extended construction schedule than the typical local renovation.

The design firm of record for this project is Gomez Mendez Saenz, Inc. This firm has registered several other projects in the region, including work at Falfurrias Elementary School and Weslaco High School. The registered accessibility specialist for this filing is Isaac Ochoa. The project involves public funds and is located on public land. This geographic detail is relevant for construction planning and long-term facility maintenance in the area.

Brooks County Independent School District is the owner of record for this project. The district has another TDLR-registered project in Falfurrias for Falfurrias Elementary School, valued at $1,000,000, which is also review complete. This indicates a coordinated approach to facility upgrades within the district. The local area, specifically ZIP code 78355, has a population of about 6,843 according to U.S. Census ACS 2023 five-year estimates. The median household income in this area is $32,636, and the median owner-occupied home value is $84,200. These demographic and economic factors provide context for the community served by the renovated high school facilities.

The unemployment rate in Brooks County was 5.1 percent in July 2026, which is higher than a year earlier. This labor market condition may influence the availability of construction workers and the overall pace of the project. The renovation of the Fire Science Lab/Classroom is a significant investment in the educational infrastructure of Falfurrias, aiming to provide modern and safe learning environments for students. The project's completion in early 2027 will mark a substantial update to the high school's facilities, reflecting the district's commitment to maintaining and improving its educational resources.