UH Tech Bridge Innovation Zone in Houston, TX

The University of Houston is undertaking a renovation of the UH Tech Bridge Innovation Zone Bldg 407, located at 5000 Gulf Fwy in Houston. This accessibility project involves updating the front entry facade to add a canopy, creating a new entrance, and refreshing exterior building materials. The scope includes replacing existing overhead doors with new storefronts. The registered accessibility specialist for this work is William T Winning, and the design firm of record is Kirksey Architecture. The project was registered with TDLR in November 2026.

This specific alteration focuses on a 300 sq ft area, with an estimated cost of $1,600,000. This results in a cost per square foot of $5333. The construction is scheduled to begin in April 2027 and is targeted for October 2027. The project involves public funds, public land, or is a Federally funded roadway project. Plan review is pending as the project moves toward its completion date.

Market Context and Comparison

When compared to 39,390 TDLR-registered renovation/alteration filings in Harris County, this project stands out significantly. The median estimated cost for such projects is $250,000, with the middle half ranging from $127,000 to $600,000. The median size is 4,000 sq ft, and the median cost is $80 per sq ft. This project's cost is above the county median for its type, falling into the top quarter. Its scheduled build window of 183 days is longer than the county median of 92 days. The $5333 per sq ft is well above the county median of $80.

The University of Houston has six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $94,697,420. These include the New Dining Commons in Houston for $50,000,000 and another major project for $42,800,000, both with review complete. Kirksey Architecture also has six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $2,394,000. These include Three Memorial City Plaza in Houston for $350,000, which is project registered, and Concord Park III in San Antonio for $750,000, also project registered.

The area profile for ZIP 77024, based on U.S. Census ACS 2023 five-year estimates, shows a population of about 37,647. The median household income is $142,039, with 18,599 housing units. The median owner-occupied home value is $1,164,400, and housing is mostly owner-occupied. Harris County unemployment rate (FRED, September 2026) was 4.6 percent, lower than a year earlier. The TDLR status for this project is Project Registered.