In a nutshell
The plan proposes interim solutions as well as options for building sites as the county has outgrown its current justice center and jail and prepares for an estimated 192% growth in population over the next 20 years.
Using an estimated population of 1.48 million by 2050, county officials compared larger counties, such as Bexar, Tarrant and Dallas, as well as similar-sized counties, such as Fort Bend and Montgomery, to gauge the future needs of Williamson County.
Covey said the most important aspect to consider when choosing a potential site is whether the property can accommodate the maximum potential build out of 2.6 million-square-feet, which is needed to properly serve the growing community.
According to county documents, the justice center is 171,408 square feet, but the has the need for 208,000-215,000 square feet. Meanwhile, the jail is 364,016 square feet, which currently exceeds its need for 286,322 square feet.
Though the jail has capacity, including a fourth floor that has not been finished, which could extend the life of the facility, the justice center does not have enough space to accommodate growth, Covey said.
However, Covey said when the county moves into its new headquarters in 2025 there will be an additional 10,000-square-feet of space available in that building’s basement that can be used as an interim solution for justice center overflow.
The justice center could be used for several more years if county officials decide to relocate some departments into the basement, Covey said.
The details
During the presentation, Covey offered options for potential building sites, including several in downtown Georgetown.
Covey said county properties on W. Eighth Street and W. Fourth Street between S. Rock Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Street would only be able to fulfill the county’s needs if the city of Georgetown allowed for a height variance.
County Judge Bill Gravell expressed reluctance with building a large jail and justice center in downtown Georgetown.
“I don’t know if I want [the justice center and jail] to be the entire downtown skyline of one of our cities,” Gravell said.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles said state law requires the justice center and jail be located within Georgetown, the county seat. He added the historic downtown was originally built around county government.
Potential sites also include properties outside of downtown on NE Inner Loop, SE Inner Loop and Blue Springs Boulevard.
Covey said the county needs a property that will allow for incremental expansion until the estimated full completion in 2050.
According to county documents, the cost to complete the new structure ranges from an estimated $611 million to $715 million.
Quote of note
“Compared to other counties [Williamson County] is phenomenally ahead. [The county] is doing really remarkable things to keep our jail population down and yet have justice in our county,” Covey said.
Stay tuned
Commissioners court will consider a revised proposal and timeline in October.
