Jacobs Katus Watson [Sources: Courtesy photo; DI Studio; Elena Shilina/istockphoto]
Dallas-based engineering giant Jacobs has been selected as one of three program managers for an ambitious $2.4 billion capital improvement campaign, the largest in Austin Independent School District history.
Part of Jacobs' project is a five-year, $517 million contract to oversee the modernization of 10 schools in Austin, including renovations aimed at strengthening student mental health, nutrition and athletic programs. , technology upgrades and new facilities.
In a news release, Katus Watson, senior vice president and general manager of Jacob's People and Place Solutions Americas South, said Austin's historic voter-approved bond program will allow the ISD to “severe The company said it would support “benefits for the local community for a decade.”
As many school districts across the country struggle with aging infrastructure, the company's program management expertise is aimed at helping revitalize learning environments.
“Jacobs' core values and Austin ISD's values align very closely with our shared vision of developing the next generation of leaders,” Watson said in a statement.
Planned improvements for Austin ISD range from basic infrastructure upgrades such as new heating, air conditioning, plumbing and roofing to enhancements to the on-campus mental health center, community food pantry, visual and performing arts facilities, and more. This ranges from updates to athletic facilities to more innovative additions such as renovations. Special education and early childhood classrooms, renovated kitchen and serving areas, new play equipment and outdoor learning spaces.
Jacobs will work with Atlanta construction management firm Turner & Townsend Healey, according to a news release.
Jacobs' selection also highlights a commitment to inclusion. The companies worked with minority-owned specialty subcontractors from across Texas to assemble a diverse project team aligned with ISD's goals. The team includes Olivier, Inc., a Dallas-based minority-owned company, as well as Encotech Engineering Consultants in Austin and Project Management Group, LLC in Houston.
Together, the minority-owned subconsultants make up about 30% of the total project team, Jacobs said.
Jacobs said the school traces its roots back to 1881 and has grown to become the eighth largest school district in Texas, serving 113 schools and more than 73,000 students in one of the state's fastest-growing metropolitan areas. It is said to be providing services to.
This isn't Jacobs' first time working with the Austin area. The company previously assisted his ISD with his program management expertise for the $450 million Children First Bond Program from 1996 to 2001.
Jacobs was recently named the No. 1 Program Management Company in the World for the third consecutive year on the 2023 Engineering News Record Top 50 list.
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