For members of the Bangladeshi-American community in Houston, maintaining their cultural identity while living far from their native South Asian homeland is paramount.

Now the community, through the Bangladesh Association of Houston, is close to completing a permanent, central place to gather and share in their heritage.

The association was founded as a nonprofit in 1978 by then-University of Houston students of Bangladeshi descent. The group raised the funds to purchase four acres of land off Renn and Synott roads in the International Management District, and it has become the focus of their continuing efforts.

Now under construction,  the building – known as the Bangladesh American Center – will feature 16,000-square-feet of space. It will house an auditorium, central lobby and kitchen, senior citizen center, multi-faith chapel and a library. About $1.5 million is still needed to complete the job.

“It will be a symbol of our cultural identity that binds us together as a proud community of people who make a contribution to our society and the larger community,” said association chairman Khaled Khan.

Some 20,000-plus people who reside in the Houston metropolitan area identify as Bangladeshi, he said.

Many take part in the association’s activities and events. Important dates are commemorated, including the hard-fought independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971, when thousands of people escaped from strife that led to more than 3 million deaths. Bangladesh is the eight most populous nation in the world.

The group envisions the center not as just a place for the Bengali community, but also a site that welcomes all.

“When it is finally finished, it will be open to everyone, no matter religion or race,” Khan said. “It can serve as a shelter for emergencies in Houston … hurricanes or the like. We want it to be central to our positive presence in our community.”

A trailer on the site serves as the hub for an afterschool program for area students.  A weekend school offers Bangla language lessons. The group also offer classes in computer training, job skills and driver education classes. It’s also home to cricket, soccer and badminton games.

Meanwhile, group members such as those who work in medicine, engineering, education and other fields are working hard to raise the rest of the money to complete the project.

On Nov. 13, the Women Of BAC are holding a fundraising event at the site. The “Meena Bazar’’ will feature a live Bangla band, Bangladeshi food, traditional dress, cultural performances, raffles and games.

Learn more about the association at www.facebook.com/BangladeshAssociation.