Kingsport presents Justice Center expansion and security upgrades; county and city describe multi-year project

Kingsport city staff presented an update on the Kingsport Justice Center expansion and interior renovations, describing security, accessibility and phased construction plans and seeking continued coordination with Sullivan County.

Deputy City Manager Ryan McCreynolds reviewed renderings and the project’s scope. The expansion adds roughly 18,000 square feet to the existing site and includes a new public foyer to improve security screening and queueing, handicapped-accessible parking, a staff elevator to separate judicial staff movement from public circulation, renovated courtrooms, judges’ chambers and updated clerk and public areas. McCreynolds said the total project budget was roughly $19 million, with $15.6 million under construction and the remaining funds allocated for furniture, fixtures, technology and moving costs.

City and county officials described the courts’ operational needs during construction: the city intends to keep dockets moving and to rotate courtrooms to avoid case backlogs. McCreynolds said an initial visible portion of the exterior masonry will appear substantially complete in spring but interior work will continue, with a goal of a full ribbon cutting in 2027. He also noted that the county is a minority owner in Old City Hall (he referenced approximately 16%) and that the city and county will need to negotiate an updated landlord/occupancy agreement and technology responsibilities before final project completion.

No vote or county action was required at the presentation; commissioners asked clarifying questions about chambers, parking and timelines and thanked Kingsport officials for the partnership.