The Texas A&M University System Regents today approved a plan to build 10 storm shelters across the state, with a total cost of $254.5 million. The Regents committed about $25 million in matching funds to apply for up to $229 million in Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).
“This allows us — for just 10-percent of the cost — to build storm shelters at campuses that will be used as basketball arenas, convocation centers, or even lab space most of the time, thanks to FEMA,” said John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System.
A safe room is a hardened structure designed to meet FEMA criteria and provide near-absolute protection in extreme wind events, including tornadoes and hurricanes.
The Regents authorized TDEM to apply for the following safe room projects:
- Texas A&M University-Texarkana: A $16.4 million multiuse facility for volleyball, cheer and dance team practices, office space, community, and campus events when not used as a tornado shelter.
- Texas AgriLife Research Station in Beeville: A $10 million multiuse facility for community events and offices when not used as a hurricane shelter.
- Texas A&M University-Central Texas in Killeen: An $8.5 million tornado shelter for physical education courses, indoor recreational activities, and student gatherings.
- Texas A&M-McAllen: A $17.8 million hurricane shelter with a gymnasium, multipurpose activity room, and weight room.
- Texas A&M University-Commerce: A $20 million tornado shelter with basketball and pickleball courts, as well as banquet space.
- Tarleton State University: A $30 million tornado shelter used also as laboratory space for agricultural and environmental research.
- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi: A $56.8 million hurricane shelter doubling as a 4,000-seat basketball arena for events such as commencements, student convocations, guest lectures, and faculty and staff meetings.
- Texas A&M University-San Antonio: A $30.3 million hurricane shelter/athletic center.
- West Texas A&M University: A $14 million tornado shelter that will also serve as an athletic facility.
If FEMA approves the projects, construction could begin in 2025.
