The McDonald Observatory plans to construct a new public restroom facility in Jeff Davis County at an estimated cost of $350,000, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
The project, commissioned by the University of Texas Board of Regents, calls for installation of a prefabricated restroom building and associated site work and utility connections at the observatory, located at 3640 Dark Sky Drive.
Construction is scheduled to begin June 19, with completion expected by Nov. 30. The facility will total approximately 160 square feet and is classified as new construction involving public funds or public land, according to the state filing.
The design firm for the project is Parkhill, based in Austin. Corbin Garcia, senior administrative program coordinator for campus operations and building compliance, is listed as the project contact for the university.
Rogelio Valdemar Gonzalez-Cavazos of El Paso is listed as the registered accessibility specialist for the project.
The McDonald Observatory, operated by the University of Texas at Austin, is a major tourism and educational destination in the Davis Mountains near Fort Davis, attracting visitors for public star parties, telescope viewing programs and science outreach programs.
