LULING, Texas — A 45,000-square-foot evacuation shelter will soon rise on pastureland, providing a vital resource for Caldwell County and the state of Texas during emergencies.
The Caldwell County Evacuation Center, set to open in 2026, will offer temporary shelter for up to 360 people displaced by disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes. The $22 million project, funded by a grant from the Texas General Land Office, will also serve as an events center for the local community when not in use during emergencies.
The facility will include beds, a warming kitchen, showers, bathrooms, and laundry facilities, ensuring people can stay for a week or two until it is safe to return home.
The shelter has been years in the making, said Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden, with the grant process and building design taking a combined three years.
“This has been quite the endeavor,” Haden said. “But when disaster strikes, this center will be ready to provide critical support to those in need, whether they’re from Caldwell County or anywhere else in Texas.”
Luling Mayor C.J. Watts praised the project as a significant asset to both the city and county, emphasizing the collaborative efforts that brought it to fruition.
“This evacuation shelter is a true testament to the power of collaboration and the shared commitment of our local leaders to prioritize the needs of the community,” Watts said. “I’d like to thank Judge Haden for his vision, as well as grants administrator Dennis Engelke and his successor, Amber Quinley, who worked tirelessly to secure funding for this emergency shelter.”
Watts also credited the Caldwell County grants department, particularly grant writer Christina “Ari” Arias, for their instrumental role in advancing the project.
“This project represents the best of what can be achieved when passionate individuals come together for the good of the community,” Watts added. “Not only will it serve as an evacuation center, but it will also be a place for events and gatherings, bringing people together in times of celebration as well as need.”
Construction is expected to be completed by early 2026. Once operational, the facility will provide much-needed refuge during emergencies and a versatile space for community use year-round.