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County engineer reports slow but ongoing progress on ARPA-funded animal shelter, juvenile center, fiber optic and generator projects
Summary
County Engineer John Hernandez told commissioners that ARPA-funded projects — an animal shelter, juvenile center expansion, fiber‑optic network and generator installations — are underway but behind schedule in places; fiber build expected by September and other projects targeted for year‑end completion.
John Hernandez, San Patricio County engineer, updated Commissioners on ARPA‑funded capital projects, reporting mixed progress across multiple sites.
Animal shelter: Contractor Beck Brothers has completed foundation and site work but overall progress stood at about 21% complete. Hernandez said the contractor has secured a water tap and county staff scheduled temporary electrical power from AEP to arrive in the coming weeks. Hernandez said the project’s contractual completion target is end of the year.
Juvenile detention/administration expansion: Also managed by Beck Brothers, Hernandez said this project is roughly 40% complete. Light‑gauge steel members arrived with some shipping damage; the structural engineer (Pillar Engineering) inspected the assemblies and the manufacturer is supplying replacement members for on‑site swap‑outs. Hernandez said the design allows replacement of damaged pieces and that inspections will follow the repairs.
Fiber optic network: Hernandez reported the fiber project is approximately 52% complete. Surface work and junction boxes are largely finished; the contractor has been coordinating with Union Pacific Railroad on two bores that required railroad‑approved boring methods and a railroad observer agreement. Hernandez said the contractor anticipates completing the fiber by September and remaining within the end‑of‑year contract deadline.
Civic Center and generator work: Hernandez said the Civic Center generator project is about 23% complete; the slab is poured and engineers were finalizing approval drawings for the automatic transfer switch. A Precinct 1 generator is nearly finished pending retainage. Hernandez also described metalwork for the emergency operations center (EOC) generator area that needed additional parts, welding and a change order of roughly $15,000; DC Energy and AR Energy were among contractors involved in generator and steel‑mesh work.
Commissioners asked about schedules, liquidated damages, meeting frequency with contractors and the potential for inspectors to be included in weekly/biweekly construction meetings; Hernandez said regular (every other week) construction meetings are held and additional engineering inspections are scheduled where needed.
