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Comal County accepts HDR feasibility report outlining multimillion-dollar jail expansion options
Summary
Comal County Commissioners voted to accept an HDR feasibility report that outlines several jail-expansion options — from a 274-bed addition to multi-level tower plans — with projected construction costs ranging roughly from $63 million to $172 million; commissioners debated growth assumptions, timing and financing.
Comal County Commissioners on Thursday accepted an updated feasibility report from HDR Architecture that analyzes options for expanding the county jail to meet projected population-driven demand.
The report presents multiple build alternatives, including a 274-bed addition with an estimated construction cost of $63,000,000 and a total project cost in the low-$70 millions, and larger multi-level tower options with project estimates reaching into the low-$172,000,000 range. Presenter (HDR) summarized capacity and timing, saying the 274‑bed addition could be occupied around 2036 under one scenario and that larger builds would push design and construction timelines further into the 2040s. "You will notice on the lower left hand side, there's a TTL, total construction cost of $63,000,000," the presenter said while walking commissioners through the report's cost charts.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the county is already seeing steady population growth and is approaching practical capacity limits at the current facility. The report estimates the existing facility holds roughly 853 beds and models scenarios in which additional housing units would extend detention capacity through different target years depending on the option chosen.
Commissioners debated the trade-offs between building a smaller expansion now versus financing a larger option to avoid repeated near‑term construction. Commissioner Webb argued for planning and financing the larger option to avoid a series of short-term fixes; other commissioners urged caution on growth projections and construction cost escalation. Commissioner Hogg raised concerns about the pace of growth and whether smaller phased work might reduce near-term taxpayer burden.
The court voted to accept the HDR study so the report can be posted for public review and to formally close the county's architectural agreement with HDR. The motion to accept the report was made by Commissioner Webb and seconded by Commissioner Crownover; the judge announced the motion carried. The commission did not specify a vote tally in the minutes.
Next steps: Commissioners directed staff to make the report publicly available and discussed moving toward financial analysis and design procurement. Several members asked staff to work with financial counsel and auditors to explore financing options and to return with specific financing proposals and timelines before final design decisions are made.
