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BRIDGE CITY — Officials with Bridge City Independent School District made their first steps toward construction of a new performing arts center with the selection of an architect for design and construction administration of the bond project this week.

Trustees approved hiring Claycomb Associates, Architects, for the task during Wednesday’s board meeting.

Voters in BCISD approved the $27.5 million bond program at the May 3 election with 64.68 percent of the vote with a total of 760 votes. 

Trustees on Wednesday opted to use a Construction Manager at Risk construction procurement method. With the Construction Manager At Risk Method, the Board chooses a CMAR based upon their proposals. The CMAR is typically hired early in the project, prior to completion of plans and specs, and may assist the architect in value engineering and constructability issues, according to information from Superintendent Dr. Mike Kelly.

Once the plans and specs are completed, the CMAR bids all of the subcontracts and provides those numbers to the District. At that time the District and the CMAR enter into an agreement called the Guaranteed Maximum Price, which includes the construction costs as well as their fees added to that amount. 

Background

The purpose of the Performing Arts Center is to meet the needs of the fine arts programs including the band, Strutters, Kickers, cheer, choir and more. 

There will be dedicated spaces at the facility, appropriately sized rehearsal and performance spaces for the fine arts, a University Interscholastic League regulation sized stage and auditorium which will provide a professional venue and eliminate the need to borrow or rent other districts’ facilities.

The dedicated center will allow for expanded curriculum, workshops, master classes and additional performances, serve as a valuable rental venue for local performances and events and offer financial savings by eliminating the need for external venue rental thus freeing up funds for reinvestment in fine arts programs, according to the district.

Timeline

The timeline for the project is as follows:

• Design phase, June – December
• Bid project, January 2026
• Break ground, February 2026
• Anticipated opening date, late spring/early summer 2027