28 Oct Webb County pauses Rock House site plans while it reviews office space needs

Webb County commissioners have put a proposed office building on the former Rock House site on hold while the county works out which offices need room and where, according to the Laredo Morning Times. The proposal was tabled after commissioners reviewed a feasibility study for the county-owned property at 918 and 920 Houston St.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Ricardo Jaime and Pct. 3 Commissioner John Galo sit on the county’s Buildings Assessment Committee, which is working with another architect on a countywide look at how departments should be housed. Jaime said committing to a permanent plan for the site before that work is done would be irresponsible, and that the county should base the decision on need rather than want. Galo agreed the committee should settle the space question before the court approves a building.

The study laid out three options, all based on preliminary budget estimates rather than construction bids:

• Smaller building: A one-story, 6,028-square-foot office estimated at $2.3 million to $2.6 million.
• Larger building: A two-story, 19,131-square-foot office estimated at $7.2 million to $8.4 million.
• Parking lot: A 23-space lot estimated at about $230,000. A lot would not be required if the county built either office.

The study named County Administration, the Budget Office and Civil/Legal as possible occupants, along with future departments. It left the final mix of departments, the building’s size and height, parking and the budget for a later phase, which would start with architectural and engineering design if the county decides to build.

Jaime noted that the county has room elsewhere. He cited the former sheriff’s administration building, where some departments have asked to settle permanently, the Billy Hall Administration Building remodel, and the Fesco Building purchase, which has already moved some departments.

The lots were cleared after the county decided that saving the old Rock House was not worth the expense. In December 2025, Jaime said architects put the restoration at roughly $3 million for construction plus about $300,000 for design.