The big picture
County officials and Chasco Constructors, the project’s construction manager at risk, previously agreed to separate guaranteed maximum price proposals for four phases of construction to ensure construction start and end dates were met, per county documents.
The phased approach was taken due to changing manufacturer lead times, supply chain issues and to expedite the start of construction, according to county documents.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said the structured method was chosen in part to avoid delaying the building, but the contract began causing constraints.
“There was a need to move money around on the project, and we couldn't with the way we had it structured,” Covey said.
The approach
Now, Chasco and Williamson County will combine four GMP proposals into one $79.4 million GMP proposal, per county documents. Covey said it will allow for a “better application of the money.”
Covey said officials also decreased the owner’s contingency—or an amount set aside to pay for unexpected costs—in order to afford furniture.
A closer look
The building’s concrete and first floor is complete, and construction crews are actively putting up the third floor, County Judge Bill Gravell said.
“If you haven't been out there recently, it's really pretty amazing,” Gravell said.
A tree topping ceremony—or a construction tradition to signify a milestone—is tentatively scheduled for April 11, Gravell said. Officials will top the space with a flag previously flown at the U.S. Capitol in honor of Williamson County, he said.
What to expect
Per county documents, the project should reach substantial completion by Dec. 9 and final completion by Jan. 15. During a Dec. 17 county commissioners workshop, Precinct 3 Executive Assistant Rachel Arnold said county officials expect to move into the new headquarters in early 2026.
Officials broke ground on the facility in May, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
