Funding type
This project involves public funds, public land, or is a Federally funded roadway project.
Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley
500 Rio Rico Rd, Mercedes, TX, 78570
Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley is a additions to existing building project at 500 Rio Rico Rd, 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 45,118 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
- 45,118 ft²
About this figure
Square footage reported for this scope of work. It may cover only part of a larger property.
- Estimated cost / ft²
- $5/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.
3 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.
13 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.
212 days after the preceding date shown.
Source: TDLR filing
View source record
📰About Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley
Ruben Hinojosa Elementary School in Mercedes, Texas, is undergoing a $233,000 project focused on outdoor enhancements and accessibility improvements. Located at 500 Rio Rico Rd, this addition to the existing 45,118 sq ft facility involves specific landscaping and infrastructure upgrades rather than new structural construction. The work is registered under the filing name Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley, indicating a broader district-wide initiative.
Scope and Design
The project scope includes plantings, trees, irrigation systems, exterior furniture, trails, a nature learning space, and signage. Studio Outside is the design firm of record, bringing specialized expertise to the outdoor learning environment. This scope aligns with the firm's other recent projects in the region, which share similar cost and scale profiles.
Mercedes Independent School District is the owner of record. The district has five other TDLR-registered projects in Mercedes, each also valued at $233,000, suggesting a standardized approach to infrastructure upgrades across its campus network. Ross A Thomas is the registered accessibility specialist for this specific filing.
Timeline and Status
The project was registered with TDLR in September 2026, with construction also scheduled to start in September 2026. Plan review is pending, and completion is targeted for April 2027. This scheduled build window of 212 days is longer than the county median of 153 days for similar additions to existing buildings in Hidalgo County.
The estimated cost of $233,000 is below the county median of $300,000 for this project type. The cost per square foot is $5, which is significantly below the county median of $103 per square foot. These figures reflect the nature of the work, which focuses on site improvements rather than high-cost structural additions. The project involves public funds and is registered on public land.
Hidalgo County’s unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in July 2026, higher than a year earlier. The project is situated in a community with a median household income of $39,890 and a median owner-occupied home value of $83,400, according to U.S. Census ACS 2023 estimates for ZIP 78570.
Project Registered
Project has been registered with TDLR and is in pre-construction phase
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Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley is a Additions to Existing Building project located at 500 Rio Rico Rd, Mercedes, TX 78570 in Mercedes, Texas. The project has an estimated value of $233K covering 45,118 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 17, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary scope of work for this project?
The work includes plantings, trees, irrigation, exterior furniture, trails, a nature learning space, and signage. It is classified as additions to an existing building, focusing on outdoor and accessibility features rather than new interior construction.
When is the project expected to be completed?
Construction is scheduled to start in September 2026. The filing indicates that completion is targeted for April 2027, following a pending plan review process.
Who is the design firm for this project?
Studio Outside is the design firm of record. They are responsible for the design of the plantings, trails, and nature learning space components of the project.
Is the school open for enrollment during construction?
The TDLR record documents construction status and does not provide information regarding school operations or enrollment availability. The project status is listed as Project Registered with plan review pending.
How does the project cost compare to other similar projects in Hidalgo County?
The $233,000 estimated cost is below the county median of $300,000 for additions to existing buildings. The $5 per square foot cost is also below the county median of $103 per square foot.
What is Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley?
Cool Schools Rio Grande Valley is a additions to existing building project at 500 Rio Rico Rd 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 500 Rio Rico Rd, 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 45,118 square feet (about $5/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
500 Rio Rico Rd, Mercedes, TX, 78570
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$932K totalWatch all construction in 78570 (Mercedes)
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