John Hernandez, county engineer, told the San Patricio County Commissioners Court on Oct. 6 that work on the county’s new Justice Center is progressing and remains on the contractor’s critical path. “This month's payout is gonna be about … $2,700,000,” Hernandez said, and added that the county has paid Fulton approximately $39,000,000 so far and still has about $25,000,000 remaining to pay.

Why it matters: The Justice Center is the county’s largest ongoing capital project. Completion timing and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) work on the third floor are the items the project team identifies as critical to finishing on schedule.

Hernandez said the overall project completion stands at about 61% and that Fulton has been receiving materials on site without delivery delays. “We’re still on track for completion, late spring, early summer. Of course, pending the weather,” Hernandez said. He described ongoing activities including second- and third-floor MEP installation, sanitary sewer piping and parking-lot work.

Project staff described courtroom layout and furniture progress. A speaker identified as Chris said the county and judges provided input on a mock courtroom, which was incorporated into the final layout; Hernandez and others said modular furniture decisions are tied to final data and electrical drop locations. The county will continue monthly coordination meetings: project updates on the Justice Center in the morning and courthouse-renovation meetings in the afternoon.

On the courthouse renovation, Hernandez said the county has received 50% design plans from the architect team BRW and that design work will continue as the Justice Center construction proceeds. Court members praised Fulton for workforce continuity and subcontractor relationships, saying Fulton ‘‘stood out’’ among bidders.

Action and next steps: The court received the monthly update and asked staff to continue coordination with judges and BRW. No new formal appropriation, bid award, or schedule change was made during the Oct. 6 session.

Details and limits: Hernandez estimated this month’s contractor payout and the remaining contract balance by dollar amounts as noted above; those figures were stated during his presentation. Completion timing is contingent on weather and timely material deliveries.