Government
BY GRACIE WARHURST
Kitchell representative Cameron Glass updated Williamson County commissioners on the Justice Center complex project Sept. 16, including the need for new facilities and the process for site selection. The construction and real estate company is the manager for the project, which will build a new jail and o ce space in Georgetown. Population growth and aging infrastructure contribute to the demand for detention centers, courts, and probation and diversion programs, Glass said. Although the jail is compliant with state regulations, it has plumbing issues and an outdated layout, Glass said. “With what you’re working with, you should be applauded,” Glass said. WilCo plans for Justice Center
About the project
What else?
Commissioners have discussed building the new Justice Center complex outside of downtown Georgetown. Although the court has not identi- ed a site yet and is still in the preliminary stages of planning, Kitchell anticipates a $1.5 billion project through “phased, strategic investment,” Glass said. Kitchell has looked at 35 potential sites for the project, 10 of which t the needed criteria. The county will need at least 80 acres of buildable land to house the facilities, Glass said. “Because of the growth of Georgetown, there are very few parcels large enough that will accommodate what we need,” Precinct 3 Commis- sioner Valerie Covey said at the Sept. 16 meeting. “We’ve got to get it right for the long haul—for the forever build.” Commissioners also hope to house other county operations at the site.
During a Sept. 9 commissioners court meeting, o cials allocated $1 million to purchase a building at 600 Forest St., Georgetown, to potentially house Jail and Justice Center o ces. Commissioners voted 4-1 to fund the purchase, which was originally approved at an Aug. 26 meeting. Precinct 3 commissioner Valerie Covey said purchasing the building is the shortest term solution for “getting relief for the justice center.” County Judge Steven Snell voted against the project at both the Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 meetings, because of “big time concerns” about the building. Snell said because commissioners had discussed building a justice center complex outside of downtown Georgetown, he does not support purchasing more property downtown. “I understand the need for more space for the Justice Center, but the purchase of the building was one cost to that,” Snell said at the Sept. 9 meeting. “Now we’re going to spend two to two-and-a-half times the cost of the building to make it habitable in some fashion.” The county will need to coordinate with the city of Georgetown, and anticipates a three to four month project for renovation or six months to a year for demolishing and building temporary o ce space, Facilities Director Dale Butler said.
“We just don’t want to let perfect be the enemy of the good. There’s never going to be a perfect piece of land, there’s never going to be a perfect building, there’s never going to be a perfect time. But we’ve really outgrown the Justice Center seven or eight years ago, and
1 Current Williamson County Justice Center 2 Current Williamson County Jail 3 Recently purchased o ce space
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we just can’t wait any longer to tackle the justice system and get us a new building.” SHAWN DICK, DISTRICT ATTORNEY
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