Listen to the article
South Padre Island is getting a record-high monetary shot in the arm with help from the U.S. Coast Guard.
The service announced Wednesday it awarded a $200 million design-build contract to The Haskell Company for the comprehensive recapitalization and expansion of Coast Guard Station South Padre Island in Texas, marking the largest single task order in the history of the Coast Guard’s military construction program.
The contract is funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to USCG, and will deliver the design and construction of more than 120,000 square feet of essential facilities and supporting infrastructure. They said the construction efforts will positively and directly enhance mission readiness and execution for USCG and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel on the southwest U.S. border in Texas.
“This project will provide Station South Padre Island with modern facilities and empower them to continue operations to control, secure and defend our southern border,” Admiral Kevin Lunday, Commandant of the Coast Guard, said in a statement.
USCG said the preliminary design and environmental work on the updated will begin immediately, with project completion anticipated in summer 2028.
The Haskell Company has had a global architectural, engineering and construction footprint for decades, operating not just in North America but in Latin American, European, Asian and Caribbean marketplaces. Military.com reached out to the company for comment.
The recapitalization project will support border security operations and maritime approaches, facilitate commerce to boost economic prosperity, and respond to contingencies along the Gulf Coast and surrounding waterways.
Scope of Work
Station South Padre Island, located 6 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, is, according to USCG, “at the forefront of securing the U.S. southern border.”
This project is historic in a couple ways. One, it represents the largest award value for a shore infrastructure construction project in Coast Guard history. Second, it will be delivered on the shortest timeline to date.
The scope of work of the project is as follows:
- Environmental assessment, site survey investigations, and design services for various facilities.
- Construction of new station facilities.
- Construction of Unaccompanied Personnel Housing (UPH), additional berthing, and mission support facilities.
- Rebuilding of waterfront infrastructure.
- Construction of a Joint Operations Center and Customs and Border Protection support space.
- Forward operations space for Deployable Specialized Forces.
- Delivery of a new harbor operations center and other mission support facilities.
- Comprehensive site development, utilities and outfitting.
The service said that the planning phase was compressed from the standard 18 months to 45 days, while the contracting process was reduced from 15 months to four months.
This project comes after facility damage last year.
On April 20, 2025, a fire severely damaged the boat house at Station South Padre Island and forced crews to relocate operations. The following day, station personnel responded to reports of illegal fishing and interdicted a vessel in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone—where they discovered 130 pounds of red snapper and 75 pounds of shark on board.
“The courageous team of Station South Padre Island showed resilience and determination,” Lunday said. “The day after fire severely damaged facilities at Station South Padre Island, this crew was back on patrol, successfully interdicting illicit activity in one of our most complex operating environments.”
Read the full article here
23 Comments
I’m excited to see the modern facilities and infrastructure that will be developed as part of the project, and I believe it will greatly benefit the Coast Guard personnel and the local community.
I’m curious to know more about the preliminary design and environmental work that will begin immediately, and how it will inform the construction process.
As someone who lives near the U.S.-Mexico border, I’m concerned about the potential effects of the project on migrant families and the humanitarian efforts in the area.
The Coast Guard has stated that the project will support border security operations, but it’s essential to ensure that humanitarian concerns are also addressed.
The Coast Guard’s statement that the project will ’empower them to continue operations to control, secure and defend our southern border’ raises questions about the current state of border security and the effectiveness of existing measures.
I’m excited to see the positive impact this project will have on the local community, particularly in terms of economic prosperity and job creation.
The project’s focus on supporting border security operations and maritime approaches is essential for the region’s safety and security.
As a supporter of the Coast Guard’s mission, I believe this project is a vital investment in the region’s security and prosperity.
The project’s potential to boost economic prosperity and facilitate commerce is a welcome development, but it’s essential to ensure that environmental concerns are not overlooked.
The use of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to fund the project is an interesting aspect, and I’d like to know more about the implications of this funding source.
The project’s historic significance, representing the largest award value for a shore infrastructure construction project in Coast Guard history, is a notable achievement.
The fact that the project will be delivered on the shortest timeline to date is a notable achievement, and I’m interested to see how The Haskell Company will manage the construction process to meet this deadline.
I’m skeptical about the environmental impact of the construction project, especially given the sensitive ecosystem of the Rio Grande River and the surrounding waterways.
I’m curious to know more about the environmental assessment and site survey investigations that will be conducted as part of the project.
The fact that the project is expected to be completed in summer 2028 is impressive, given the scope and complexity of the work involved.
The Coast Guard’s commitment to securing and defending approximately 260 miles of the Rio Grande River is a significant undertaking, and this project will likely play a crucial role in achieving that goal.
I’m concerned about the potential disruption to the local ecosystem during the construction process, and I hope the Coast Guard and The Haskell Company will take necessary precautions to minimize the impact.
The $200 million design-build contract awarded to The Haskell Company for the recapitalization and expansion of Coast Guard Station South Padre Island is a significant investment in the region’s border security, and I’m curious to know how this will impact the local economy.
The project is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the area, which is a much-needed boost for the local community.
The Haskell Company’s global experience in architectural, engineering, and construction will likely be beneficial in delivering the project on time and within budget.
The fact that the project will deliver over 120,000 square feet of essential facilities and supporting infrastructure is impressive, and I believe it will greatly enhance the Coast Guard’s mission readiness and execution.
The project’s focus on facilitating commerce and responding to contingencies along the Gulf Coast and surrounding waterways is crucial for the region’s economic and environmental well-being.
The fact that Station South Padre Island is located 6 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border highlights the critical role it plays in securing the southern border.