The Caldwell County Community and Evacuation Center is a major public safety and community infrastructure project located in Luling, Texas. The facility is designed to serve as a regional evacuation center during disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and extended power outages, while also functioning as a multi‑use community and events center when not activated for emergencies.

Addressing the Needs of a Growing Population

Caldwell County is one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties, with more than a 50% increase in population since 2010. As population growth surges, the need for public safety and community infrastructure is directly impacted. To meet these needs, Caldwell County engaged Kleinfelder to assist with design engineering and funding assistance of its proposed 45,000-square-foot evacuation center, able to support around 360 individuals during emergency situations for up to two weeks. When not in use for emergency needs, the center doubles as a community space, supporting up to 600 individuals for gatherings and banquets.

Design Engineering and Funding Assistance

The evacuation center features dormitory-style sleeping areas, a large kitchen, shower and laundry facilities, administrative spaces, and a 20,000-square-foot main hall suitable for shelter and community events.

Kleinfelder served as lead design engineer for the project, providing comprehensive services for site design, civil engineering, and environmental permitting. Through partnerships with local subconsultants, Kleinfelder also helped to support architectural services, landscape architecture, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering.

Estimated total cost for the evacuation center was approximately $22 million, supported in part by a $17.8-million grant from the Texas General Land Office (GLO), which was awarded in 2021. To overcome unprecedented increases in construction costs between 2020 and 2023, Kleinfelder assisted Caldwell County and the City of Luling with successfully obtaining additional grant funding to fully support the $22-million final cost of design, permitting, and construction.

Project Results

The Caldwell County Community and Evacuation Center serves as a statewide disaster response asset, capable of housing evacuees from across Texas in times of need. Strengthening both emergency preparedness and community living, the project was fully supported through grant funding with the help of Kleinfelder’s team of professionals, who also provided design engineering services.

Project Details

Location:
Luling, TX
Owner:
Caldwell County, Texas

Project images courtesy Century Construction Group