Community Corner

24 Bodies Unearthed During School Construction

The construction of the $59 million James Reese Career and Technical Center is stopped after crews unearthed two dozen bodies.

SUGAR LAND, TX — The discovery of an historic cemetery in Fort Bend County has halted construction of the James Reese Career and Technical Center.

Construction crews who were working in the area of University Boulevard and Chatham Avenues on Monday unearthed 24 bodies.

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District officials with Fort Bend ISD contacted the Texas Historical Commission which sent out a team to help preserve the site and determine the real historic value of the area.

"We are proceeding under the guidance and expertise of the Texas Historical Commission to ensure we are respecting the history and lives of the people buried on this site," Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre told KPRC.

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Officials have not yet determined the time frame of the cemetery.

Fort Bend ISD broke ground on the $59 million facility in November, but with work halted, officials are unsure how much of an impact this could have on the new career and technology center.

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