Bexar County is moving forward with plans to build a 30,000-square-foot workforce training facility at Brooks after it temporarily suspended the development process due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Texas Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education will operate the center, estimated to be about 30,000 square feet with multipurpose rooms, classrooms, computer labs, a high-bay robotics and training lab, support offices and conference spaces.
The project is one of several workforce initiatives by the county to help manufacturing industry partners solve critical skills gaps.
“It’s intended to be highly flexible, so as workforce demand changes, the facility can change with it,” Dan Curry, director of facilities for Bexar County, told the Commissioners Court during its Oct. 20 meeting. “As we know, it will be a very large expansive space to allow these trainees to train on the new robotics equipment they use in motor manufacturing, such as Toyota, Navistar and other places.”
The total project budget will be $13.15 million, approved by the Commissioners Court in its fiscal year budget. Curry said the county has not acquired the property but expects an in-kind contribution from Brooks or a negotiation. Construction will cost about $10.7 million.
They county evaluated 14 interested design teams, with Gensler and Marmon Mok Architecture scoring the highest. The Commissioners Court granted the Facilities Management department approval on Oct. 20 to interview the two finalists.
Bexar County representatives did not immediately respond for comment. The location of the proposed facility at Brooks remains unclear as well as the delayed project timeline.
Article originally published here: Bexar County plans $13.15M workforce training facility at Brooks