Texas A&M-Kingsville singing praises for $60M renovation

KINGSVILLE, KLEBERG COUNTY – The Texas Legislature has granted $60 million for the renovation and expansion of the Bellamah Music Building along with a new general classroom at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Funding will give the university $40 million to improve the music building and $20 million for a new general classroom building.

The Department of Music has long outgrown its current 32,000-sf facility, which was built in 1959.

The building was designed to serve approximately 100 students and 12 faculty members. Since then, the Department of Music has grown to serve nearly 250 students with more than 30 faculty members.

Terisa Riley, Texas A&M-Kingsville senior vice president for fiscal and student affairs, said enrollment has grown 54 percent in seven years.