Wiggle room in time and money is scarce for converting the old McLennan County Jail downtown to courtrooms and office space, but a consultant told commissioners Tuesday that the $50 million project can be finished by late 2026.
At last count, McLennan County has $56 million at its disposal, including about $41.9 million in revenue it has generated issuing certificates of obligation. The balance of about $14 million is federal American Rescue Plan Act money left over from the COVID-19 era. The county must commit its ARPA money by Dec. 31, 2024, and spend it by Dec. 31, 2026.
Representatives of Fort Worth-based Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects told commissioners those numbers and timelines should prove doable. The firm is winding down its design and development phase, a process it should complete by May, meaning it can present the county more detailed figures this summer, with construction to begin early in 2025.
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Work should be substantially complete by summer 2026, according to a graphic included in a project update at Tuesday’s meeting.
The county already has chosen John W. Erwin General Contractor as construction manager-at-risk for the jail conversion, said County Administrator Dustin Chapman. He said the Waco company will be working to prepare a guaranteed maximum price after Brinkley Sargent has completed construction documents. Chapman said the county will get “interim” guaranteed maximum prices as the project unfolds later this year, so number crunching and budgeting can continue before ARPA funds are committed.
Brinkley Sargent is getting $3.1 million for its consulting work.
Financing should not prove a hindrance to completion, Chapman said.
“After what is currently approved and budgeted on other projects, there are funds available in the 2019-2023 certificates of obligation that total roughly $41.9 million,” he said, “and then we have the $14 million in ARPA funds.”
Chapman said county leaders are in discussions as to how to minimize disruptions to courthouse business during the work.
The old county jail has been gutted and cells removed in preparation for the conversion, but Denny Boles with Brinkley Sargent and Kevin Karr with John W. Erwin General Contractor, said some preliminary work remains to be done before crews tackle the primary task. This would include minor demolition, creating shafts, and installing equipment and electrical packages.
Work must be coordinated with the Texas Historical Commission due to the McLennan County Courthouse’s historic significance.
Key components include a secure tower with an elevator to provide access to the purchasing department on the second floor and levels one through five of the old downtown jail. Secure parking will be created in the sallyport, and secure screening will protect new public entrances to the courts and jury pool. The phase designated “connector/public amenities” will include elevators, stairs, restrooms, lobby and waiting areas.
Sixth Avenue will be reworked to replace the alleyway and Americans with Disabilities Act parking spots.
A project overview features a map and information package highlighting a new pedestrian plaza, screening lobby, public amenities, securing parking, secure tower, and parking revisions.
In the review, the architectural firm said it has “worked with structural changes to achieve courtroom seating of 73; discussed secure holding philosophy to make detainee movements efficient; creation of larger connector to provide better security screening space, public lobbies, public restrooms, stairs, and elevators to meet capacity needs of courtroom use; and refined secure tower and connector to purchasing/maintenance facility second floor.”
The firm has had multiple meetings with judges, the sheriff’s office, courthouse security, the district attorney’s office, the district clerk’s office, the hot checks department, pretrial services, and adult probation. It also has met with Bar Association representatives.
McLennan County Judge Scott Felton said the county considered starting from scratch and building new courtroom and office space elsewhere, but wanted to tap available courthouse space created with the jail closing. He said the county also wants to take advantage of existing security and safety precautions built into the existing courthouse and courthouse annex.
A 2021 tour of the downtown jail shows its challenges and opportunities for adaptive reuse.
