Teton County commissioners approve demolition of Hansen Courthouse to clear site for Justice Center

Teton County commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to demolish the Clifford P. Hansen Courthouse as part of the Teton County Justice Center project, authorizing county staff to proceed with demolition planning, scheduling and occupant relocation coordination.

County General Services Director Mark Irwin told the board the decision is a near‑term schedule driver for the Justice Center project and that ‘‘either it remains or it's removed,’’ adding that removing the Hansen Courthouse would simplify construction access, resolve a sewer conflict and avoid future maintenance costs.

Irwin said engineering and cost evaluations completed since the board’s late‑August briefing showed demolition would improve site circulation and secure inmate transport, and would avoid a six‑month-plus sewer reroute along Willow Street. He estimated demolition costs around $350,000 and gross cost avoidance in the range of roughly $450,000 to $950,000 after accounting for avoided snow‑drift mitigation and deferred maintenance; he said he did not have an appraisal but rough market estimates for the building were around $5 million.

Why it mattered

County staff emphasized the decision now is necessary to keep the Justice Center construction on schedule and to avoid escalating costs. Irwin said the team has provided short‑term relocation options for key courthouse tenants, and has worked with the town of Jackson on interim space for municipal court and with victim services on temporary and long‑term accommodations.

Victim services director Tracy Trefren told the board the program has grown from two people in 2005 to three full‑time staff today and that the office regularly has multiple clients and needs private meeting space and continuous confidential access. ‘‘Most of the time when a victim comes into Teton County Victim Services it is not a good day,’’ Trefren said, urging the county to ensure secure, confidential workspace during construction and in the Justice Center.

What staff recommended and what the board decided

Irwin said removal would allow construction staging, fewer security and IT retrofits to a temporary courtroom, and post‑construction efficiencies. He recommended demolition as the preferred option but said his team was prepared to proceed either way. Commissioners expressed discomfort about displacing functions but said the longer‑term site benefits outweighed the short‑term disruption.

Commissioner comments and naming

Several commissioners stressed the need to formalize agreements with the town about municipal court space and to clarify who will pay moving and interim costs. Commissioner discussion included whether to preserve the Clifford P. Hansen name; commissioners suggested dedicating a courtroom in the new Justice Center to retain the name and asked staff to coordinate with the Hansen family or other stakeholders on naming.

Formal action

Commissioner Karlman moved to approve demolition of the Clifford P. Hansen Courthouse as part of the Justice Center site plan, authorizing staff to proceed with planning, scheduling and occupant relocation coordination; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Macker and carried unanimously (4–0, Commissioner Gardner absent).

What the county said about short‑ and long‑term accommodations

Irwin and other staff described short‑term relocation plans that include building a permanent wall and reconfiguration in the county General Services Building basement to house victim services during construction, at an estimated cost ‘‘around $100,000 or less’’ for the initial modifications. Irwin said the Justice Center design includes dedicated space that can be secured after hours so victim services staff can admit clients without exposing the remainder of the building.

Federal and municipal court impacts

County staff and the county’s federal court contact described multiple interim options for occasional federal magistrate hearings (for example at Moose or other federal facilities) and said magistrates have been willing to adapt. Town officials had submitted a letter asking the county to work with victim services on a relocation plan and to reserve permanent space for victim services and municipal court in the Justice Center; Irwin read that letter into the record.

Next steps and follow‑up

Staff were authorized to proceed with demolition planning and occupant relocation coordination to keep the Justice Center schedule. Commissioners asked staff to return with more precise cost estimates for temporary accommodations, any relocation assistance funds, and proposed memoranda of understanding with the town regarding municipal court and victim services.

Ending

The motion to demolish carried unanimously. Commissioners asked staff to pursue agreements with partner agencies on interim space and to return with cost details and a plan to preserve the Hansen name in the Justice Center design.