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TDCJ presents plan to install HVAC at multiple units, seeks board consideration for $90M+ in projects
Summary
Facilities division outlined status updates and proposed HVAC projects that would add air conditioning to thousands of beds across the state, with estimated program costs and phased work tied to prior legislative appropriations.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities division presented an update on dozens of board-approved projects and laid out 10 proposed HVAC projects that would extend air conditioning to inmate housing across multiple units, a step leaders said is funded by recent legislative appropriations.
Facilities director Ron Hudson briefed the board on project status and then described 10 proposed initiatives that would add or upgrade HVAC systems at units including Boyd, Gurney, Hightower, Jester 3, Luther, Polunsky, Pallet, Stephenson, Stiles and Taro. The combined bed capacity covered by the 10 projects is about 12,141 beds, Hudson said, and total estimated program costs for the individual projects ranged from several million to over $28 million for larger chilled-water campus systems.
Cost examples provided by Hudson included bid proposals and estimated program costs: Boyd (bid $18,997,000; program estimate $26,275,100), Hightower (bid $16,954,227; program estimate $23,148,000), Stephenson (bid $20,059,000; program estimate $28,070,400) and Taro (bid $8,636,000; program estimate $12,154,000). Smaller dorm-style projects such as Jester 3, Pallet and Luther showed lower bid figures and used split systems or DX equipment, Hudson explained.
Why it matters: Board members and agency executives described the investments as part of a multiyear effort to increase air-conditioned beds across the TDCJ estate, leveraging legislative funding. General Collier noted the program will materially raise the share of air-conditioned capacity when combined with other appropriations and acquisitions.
Operational detail and sequencing: Hudson said some HVAC work is performed by inmate crews for smaller installations; larger chilled-water campus projects require outside contractors. He described a training benefit: maintenance agreements with outside vendors will include training for inmates so they can support ongoing maintenance and build workforce skills. "As we continue to put more of those systems...this is gonna be a training ground for our inmates to go into those chill water plants to learn," Hudson said.
Board questions and context: Members asked for a unit-by-unit bed count and for clarification about the difference between bid amounts and program costs; Hudson explained program cost includes contingency and change-order allowances and that savings on earlier projects had been reallocated to other projects. The facilities division said additional projects already in design would further increase air-conditioned bed capacity beyond the projects presented.
Ending: Hudson asked board members to expect more project presentations as the agency moves through the legislative funding pipeline; the board recessed the committee business following the presentation.
