The Summons E-Newsletter

By: Paul Wilson

Wilson Law Firm, L.P.

            The committee had its final meeting on March 7, 2012.  The recommendation remains to build the courthouse immediately across from the Administration Building on Cano where the parking lot is located.  The plan calls for the County Clerk, District Clerk, and other unnamed departments to be housed in the current courthouse.  A secured walkway will connect the two buildings.  The  entrance to either building will be through security at the new courthouse.  The new courthouse basement will house the main holding facility for prisoners and secured parking.  The first floor will include the cafeteria and an auditorium that seats 400 people.  Floors Two through Six  will each have four courtrooms and offices for court staff.  Floors Seven and Eight will be built but not finished out. Such will be reserved for future years when additional court space is needed.  The foundation will be built to support two additional floors that are not to be built until later, if needed.  All parking will be ground level parking and will likely include additional parking North of the courthouse on the former Robert’s Chevrolet land along N. Closner. 

            The plans include all of the space the HCBA requested.  There was some concern expressed about the size of the Lawyer’s Lounge being only three hundred square feet.  However, this may not be critical since the new courthouse will lend itself to many meeting places, including: each courtroom will have two small conference rooms;  the cafeteria will be five thousand square feet; there will be separate space in the main holding area for lawyers to meet with prisoners.

            The plan being recommended is considered the best option in terms of cost.  It makes use of existing facilities, land, and infrastructure.  There is one caveat to this.  The estimate of how much it will cost to renovate the current courthouse has grown to twenty million.  For now, there does not appear to be any momentum within the design team, the committee, or among city or county elected officials to challenge the Historic Commission so the current courthouse can be demolished.  Thus, there is general resignation the plans have to include the renovation of the current courthouse.  

            Such is the recommendation to be made to Commissioners’ Court by the design team.  It remains to be seen whether such will receive their approval and whether any changes will be required.   If you feel this process has gone awry then now is the time to let your voice be heard.