LOCATION OF PROPOSED JUSTICE CENTER IN AUSTIN CO. FINALIZED

  

A location has been decided upon for the proposed justice center in Austin County.

During a recent meeting of the Austin County Commissioners Court, Austin County Judge Tim Lapham said the county had reached an agreement with TxDOT, who is leasing land from the county off Chesley Street in Bellville.

Initially, plans were to build the justice center adjacent to the facility housing the Austin County Jail and Sheriff’s Office, which is also in the early stages of renovation.  However, it was ultimately decided that the current TxDOT facility would be a better location.

In November of 2018, voters passed a $17 million bond issue to cover costs of the justice center complex.  The bond also set aside funding for an EMS building, which is currently in the works in Sealy.

Architect Kenny Burns told commissioners the site work for the justice center is being firmed up, and following the county going out for construction bids, construction should begin in February.