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Washington County approves design phase for former ATS building to house records and offices
Summary
A feasibility study found the former ATS building suitable for county records storage and office space; commissioners authorized moving into the design phase and gave the county judge authority to negotiate a contract amendment.
Washington County Commissioners Court accepted a feasibility study and approved moving the former ATS building on Texas 105 into the design phase for use as records storage and county offices.
Miss Birch, the feasibility consultant retained to study the site, told commissioners the building is “just under 9,000 square feet on just over 2 acres” and is a strong candidate for the county’s records-storage needs, though it will require a full renovation — particularly to control humidity for long-term record preservation. The study inventoried storage needs across multiple county offices and concluded the building could meet both historical, permanent records needs and routine storage demands.
Court discussion noted county record-retention schedules vary by office; some records are permanent by statute and must be retained in physical form. Commissioners also discussed next steps: complete architecture and engineering work and proceed to bid by a target date in May. To move the project forward, the court approved entering the design phase and authorized the county judge to negotiate an amendment to the existing contract with the design firm to cover that work.
A motion to enter the design phase and authorize the county judge to negotiate the contract amendment was made, seconded and passed by voice vote.
Court members said the renovation will include work on the building envelope and climate control systems to meet archival storage needs. No timeline for construction bids beyond completing design work by May was recorded.
