WilCo commissioners consider pausing justice center project to listen to resident concerns

Williamson County commissioners are considering slowing down the justice center complex project, which plans to construct a jail and courtrooms near SE Inner Loop in Georgetown, in order to prioritize community engagement.

Officials discussed the next steps of the project at a July 21 Commissioners Court meeting.

The current situation

The county is currently wrapping up Phase 2 of planning for the new justice center complex, a project that began a year ago with an initial needs assessment. Although the county has purchased a site for the project, commissioners said they have not authorized final designs, contractors or any actual construction.

Commissioners are pushing to slow down the process to rebuild public trust and actively engage local residents, the school district and the city of Georgetown, Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles said at the meeting.

“I just want to let the public know, from where I sit, this is a great opportunity for us to listen and get some good feedback,” Boles said.

County Manager Rebecca Clemons said this could mean either moving into Phase 3 with restrictions, or amending the current Phase 2 contract with project consultant Kitchell, both of which would allow the continuation of public engagement.

These phases will also allow for feedback on initial designs. Clemons plans to bring a proposal for public engagement and to begin preliminary design concepts to the first Commissioners Court meeting in August.

What they’re saying

Judge Steve Snell said that although there have been opportunities for citizens to speak during public comment periods in Commissioners Court, commissioners haven’t been able to engage with them during those times.

“We don't really get to expand that conversation, so it leads to a deterioration in the trust of government, which is already fragile,” Snell said. “They want to know that their concerns are taken seriously, that ... we take the time to listen and then when they do have concerns, we take the time to investigate those concerns.”

What’s next

While officials reevaluate plans for the justice center, the county is working to address space constraints and manage recently vacated downtown offices.

This includes the historic courthouse, which commissioners said is “a treasure” that should not remain empty. The Williamson Museum board will present plans regarding a potential move into the courthouse at a later date.