San Benito CISD board selects D. Wilson as design‑build contractor for performing arts center

The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to select D. Wilson (Dee Wilson) as the design‑build contractor for the district's Performing Arts Center project and authorized administration to negotiate a contract with the firm.

The decision follows a presentation period during which two finalist teams described their design‑build approach, past school‑based performing arts projects, budgeting methods and contingency practices. Sergio Linas and Connie Bearden presented on behalf of Trigent Construction, and Jose Reyes led a presentation for D. Wilson Construction with members of a design team from ERO Architects and technical consultants. After questions from trustees about schedule, contingency and long‑term maintenance, a motion to select D. Wilson passed with board approval.

Why it matters: the board's selection begins formal contract negotiations that will shape scope, timeline and cost for a project the district has identified as a multi‑year priority. Board approval of a design‑build partner lets the district proceed with coordinated preconstruction work — budgeting, stakeholder design input and site due diligence — before full construction begins.

Details from the presentations

Trigent Construction (presenters: Sergio Linas; Connie Bearden) framed the design‑build method as a way to centralize accountability and reduce cost risk by involving a contractor early in schematic design. Linas described subcontractor markup guidance “anywhere between on the low end on 3% to about 5 or 6% at the high end,” and said the firm offers a 1% discount for payments made within seven days of invoicing. Trigent highlighted recent K–12 work including athletic and auditorium projects the presenters said ranged from roughly $2.2 million for synthetic turf projects to an $8.9 million auditorium they described as nearly complete.

D. Wilson Construction (presenter: Jose Reyes) and its design partner ERO Architects (representative Brian, with Octavio Cantu, Manny Zamora and others) presented a team with local performing‑arts and K–12 experience in the Rio Grande Valley. Reyes said his firm and partners have delivered multiple regional performing‑arts and event centers and emphasized preconstruction budgeting and close design coordination. ERO noted it has designed 17 performing‑arts/event centers and more than 285 K–12 projects regionally.

Trustee questions and project clarifications

Trustees asked about schedule reliability, contingency sizing, warranty and durability in the valley's climate, and how the teams would involve district stakeholders. D. Wilson described a phased preconstruction process with an initial contingency that would decline as drawings mature (presenters referenced starting contingency levels around 5% tapering toward 2% as documents are finalized). ERO and the D. Wilson team said community design charrettes and interior finish selections would be part of the preconstruction period and estimated that key preconstruction work to reach a clearer cost and schedule would likely take three to six months.

Public comment and context

A public commenter (identified in the transcript as Miss Garcia) had earlier asked the board for clarity about a previously withdrawn architectural contract and whether a project manager remained in place; trustees and presenters addressed project‑team continuity and the reasons districts choose design‑build procurement.

Board action

Trustee motion to select D. Wilson as the design‑build contractor for RFQ/RFP 03‑25 (Performing Arts Center) passed in open session; the board then authorized administration to negotiate a contract with D. Wilson. No detailed dollar amount or final contract was approved at the meeting; negotiation was authorized.

What happens next

Board members and presenters said the district and the selected team will begin preconstruction activities, including stakeholder engagement and design development, budgeting and site due diligence. Trustees were told some early site or utility work can be phased while detailed drawings are completed.

Ending

The board's selection begins formal negotiations; trustees said they expect additional presentations and contract details to return to the board for final approval before construction start dates are set.