Hays County approves HDR to design East Side Campus; commissioners back timber-forward concept

Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously approved HDR Architecture Inc. to prepare design and construction documents for the county’s planned East Side Campus and authorized staff and the civil division of the criminal district attorney’s office to negotiate a contract.

The court approved the selection after a 45-minute presentation by the HDR/Kitchell project team laying out the program, conceptual site plan, materials and a preliminary schedule and cost estimate. Judge Becerra and commissioners pressed designers on sustainability, rainwater capture, future expansion and service to the East Side community.

HDR principal Holden Tallon, who identified himself as “a justice principal with HDR,” summarized the project program as a three-level facility with public-facing services on lower floors and county administrative functions above. Design principal Steven Knowles said the team envisions “a living room to the community” lobby, outdoor staff spaces and a front porch to respond to the Texas climate. The team said the site plan anticipates just over 300 parking stalls, a mix of private and public parking, and consideration for adjacent residential context in the City of Kyle.

Project manager Seth (Kitchell) told the court the presented cost estimate excludes land acquisition and reflects separate planning, soft costs and anticipated off-site utility work. The team said independent cost comparisons of steel versus mass timber found the approaches “cost neutral at this level,” and highlighted “schedule benefits” and lower ongoing maintenance for a mass timber approach. When Judge Becerra asked whether the mass timber design would limit future vertical expansion, the HDR team said their current concept anticipates up to three stories and that horizontal expansion was easier with the proposed grid.

Commissioner Smith and others pressed the design team on rainwater capture and stormwater detention. The designers said the roof footprint will generate substantial runoff and noted modern above-ground storage options can be less expensive and more design friendly than traditional below-ground tanks. Commissioners also discussed adding a modest dining or cafeteria footprint for employees on the first floor.

The court’s motion to approve HDR and authorize staff to negotiate design and construction documents passed on a roll call vote of five to zero: Commissioners Inglesby, Hammer, Smith and Cohen and Judge Becerra all voted yes.

What’s next: presenters said schematic design and procurement for a general contractor remain; the team forecasted early site work beginning in 2026 with the bulk of construction in 2027. County staff said land acquisition remains in negotiation and is not included in the cost estimate presented.

Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this report are identified in the meeting record. The court will return to the item later in the design and procurement process for approvals of construction documents and contracts.