Funding type
This project involves public funds, public land, or is a Federally funded roadway project.
Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley
801 S Mile 1 E, Mercedes, TX, 78570
Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley is a additions to existing building project at 801 S Mile 1 E, Mercedes, in Hidalgo County, TX, tracked from its Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) registration. Under construction, estimated completion Apr 2027. The project has an estimated value of $233K across about 62,900 sq ft.
- Estimated project value
- $233K
About this figure
Estimated construction cost supplied in the TDLR filing. This is not a current property appraisal or a final construction invoice.
- Reported floor area
- 62,900 ft²
About this figure
Square footage reported for this scope of work. It may cover only part of a larger property.
- Estimated cost / ft²
- $4/sqft
About this figure
Calculated from this filing’s estimated cost divided by its reported square footage. Available only when both figures are supplied; it is not a market benchmark.
- Scheduled duration
- 7 months
About this figure
The interval between the filed start and completion dates. These dates describe the proposed schedule and do not measure actual construction progress.
The project record
Project timeline
Explore filed milestones and scheduled dates. Open a milestone for its source.
4 timeline dates shown.
Project registered · TDLR filing
Registration of the project with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Source: TDLR filing
View source recordScheduled construction start · Scheduled date
A date supplied in the filing; this does not confirm that work started or finished.
14 days after the preceding date shown.
Source: TDLR filing
View source recordReview complete · TDLR filing
The filing records completion of the accessibility review.
3 days after the preceding date shown.
Source: TDLR filing
View source recordScheduled completion · Scheduled date
A date supplied in the filing; this does not confirm that work started or finished.
209 days after the preceding date shown.
Source: TDLR filing
View source record
📰About Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley
Construction on a $233,000 exterior improvement project at Sgt. Manuel Chacon Middle School is scheduled to finish in April 2027. The work, registered with TDLR under the Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley filing, involves additions to the existing building at 801 S Mile 1 E in Mercedes, Texas. The project encompasses 62,900 square feet of site improvements, with work beginning in September 2026.
The scope of work focuses on outdoor educational enhancements rather than structural interior changes. Specific tasks include the installation of plantings, trees, and irrigation systems. The project also adds exterior furniture, trails, a nature learning space, and signage. This design approach supports the school’s outdoor curriculum goals.
Project Details and Design
Mercedes Independent School District is the owner of record for this initiative. Studio Outside is the design firm of record, responsible for the project’s layout and specifications. Ross A Thomas serves as the registered accessibility specialist for the filing. The estimated cost of $233,000 translates to approximately $4 per square foot, a figure significantly below the median for similar additions in Hidalgo County.
The project timeline reflects a standard construction window for this type of work. TDLR completed plan review in October 2026. The scheduled build window spans 212 days, which is longer than the county median of 153 days for comparable additions to existing buildings. The project involves public funds and public land, consistent with its status as a school district facility.
Mercedes Independent School District has several other TDLR-registered projects in the area, including Mercedes High School and Mercedes Academic Academy. Each of these projects also carries an estimated cost of $233,000. Studio Outside has designed other public spaces in Texas, including projects in Dallas and Houston, indicating a portfolio focused on community and educational environments.
Local Context
The project is located in ZIP code 78570, a predominantly owner-occupied area with a median household income of $39,890. The median owner-occupied home value in this area is $83,400, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. These figures provide context for the community served by the school’s new outdoor learning spaces.
Review Complete
Design review complete, construction may proceed
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Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley is a Additions to Existing Building project located at 801 S Mile 1 E, Mercedes, TX 78570 in Mercedes, Texas. The project has an estimated value of $233K covering 62,900 sq ft. Mercedes Independent School District is the property owner and STUDIO OUTSIDE is the design firm of record. The project was registered with TDLR on September 16, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the estimated cost of the project?
The estimated cost for the Sgt. Manuel Chacon Middle School exterior improvements is $233,000. This figure covers plantings, trees, irrigation, furniture, trails, and signage as detailed in the TDLR filing.
Who is the design firm for this project?
Studio Outside is the design firm of record for the Sgt. Manuel Chacon Middle School project. They are responsible for the layout and specifications of the outdoor learning spaces and trails.
When is the construction expected to be completed?
The project is scheduled to finish in April 2027. Construction start was planned for September 2026, following the completion of plan review by TDLR in October 2026.
What specific improvements are being made to the school?
The scope includes plantings, trees, irrigation systems, exterior furniture, trails, a nature learning space, and signage. These additions focus on enhancing the outdoor environment for educational purposes.
Is the project currently open to the public?
The project is under construction and scheduled to finish in April 2027. It is not yet open for use as the work involves active site improvements and installation of new infrastructure.
What is Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley?
Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley is a additions to existing building project at 801 S Mile 1 E in Mercedes, Texas, registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Scope of work: Plantings, Trees, Irrigation, exterior furniture, trails, nature learning space & signage
Is Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley open in Mercedes?
Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley is still under construction in Mercedes, TX, with an estimated completion of Apr 2027 according to its TDLR registration.
Where is Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley located?
Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley is located at 801 S Mile 1 E, Mercedes, TX, 78570, in Hidalgo County.
Who is the owner or developer of Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley?
Mercedes Independent School District is the property owner/developer of record for Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley, per its TDLR project registration.
Who is the architect or design firm for Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley?
STUDIO OUTSIDE is the design firm of record for Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley, according to its TDLR filing.
How much does Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley cost and how big is it?
Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley has an estimated construction value of $233K and approximately 62,900 square feet (about $4/sqft), based on its TDLR filing.
Scope of Work
Plantings, Trees, Irrigation, exterior furniture, trails, nature learning space & signage
Note: This project is registered under the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) program. TDLR registration is required for commercial and public facility construction to ensure compliance with accessibility requirements under Texas Government Code Chapter 469.
Location & views
801 S Mile 1 E, Mercedes, TX, 78570
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