Longview Independent School District's Transportation Center addition will give the team behind students' daily bus rides more room to work, train, and prepare. The approximately 10,000-square-foot expansion addresses a shortage of space at the existing center, with additional room for staff training, collaboration, and daily operations.
"Caring for students begins with caring for the people who get them here," said Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard.
At the Aug. 24 Board meeting, program director Paul Miller reported that the contractor had mobilized and begun clearing the site. That work removes vegetation and prepares the ground for construction. The project is moving through the early stages of building the addition.
An Aug. 20 construction update also reported temporary fencing installed at the site. Development and site plans had been approved at that point, while infrastructure and building permits remained under review. Site preparation and construction of the building are separate steps, each with its own requirements.
DLR Group is the project's architect, and Jackson Construction is the contractor. The August project report identifies a tentative substantial-completion target of July through September 2027. That is a construction milestone; the district has not announced a date for moving into the addition.
The financial groundwork includes the trustees' July authorization to negotiate a guaranteed maximum price of up to $7,426,227. The proposal included $500,000 in combined owner and contractor contingency, a reserve for eligible unforeseen costs within the proposed price.
That July authorization set a limit for negotiations. The project's final cost will be established as construction, approved changes, and financial closeout are completed.
For families, the investment reaches a familiar part of the school day. Bus drivers and transportation staff help connect home and school, often greeting children before they reach a classroom. Giving that team more space to train and work supports the preparation behind those daily trips.