Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve budget amendment and $5M construction contract to renovate Montgomery County courthouse
Summary
The county voted to amend the grant project ordinance and award a roughly $5 million construction contract for a courthouse renovation estimated at $6.5 million total; the project is to be funded primarily from a $2.5 million state grant and county reserves and is expected to take 16–18 months.
The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners voted on Nov. 18 to approve a budget amendment and to award a construction contract for a long-planned renovation of the county courthouse.
County staff described the project as a reactivation of the courthouse's upper floors, including asbestos abatement, significant security improvements, a secondary courtroom, a secondary elevator to provide segregated circulation for inmates and the public, HVAC and accessibility upgrades and other renovations to support court operations and county departments currently housed elsewhere.
Staff estimated the total project at about $6.5 million, with a construction contract near $5,000,000 and soft costs for architecture, engineering and construction administration making up the remainder. The county previously requested $20 million but received a state grant of $2.5 million; staff said roughly $4 million in county funds will be used and that the county will pay as it goes from funds set aside in recent years rather than taking on new debt.
Project timing and deadlines were highlighted: staff said the grant-funded work for parts of the project must be completed and grant funds expended by July, and estimated an overall schedule of 16–18 months from notice to proceed. Staff said the contractor would be expected to mobilize quickly once given notice to proceed.
Commissioner (speaker 4) moved to approve the budget amendment and award the construction contract; the motion was seconded and the board approved the combined action with an 'Aye' vote. Staff said the contract phases will be staged to allow the courthouse to remain functional during construction.
Sheriff Pete Hearn and other officials praised the security upgrades; Hearn said moving inmates safely between the jail and a 100‑year courthouse has been a longstanding operational challenge and called the planned changes "perfect timing." Commissioner comments emphasized stewardship of county buildings and preferring renovation over a new $40–$50 million courthouse.
Next steps: staff will execute the contract, notify the contractor to mobilize and manage phased construction to meet the grant expenditure deadline and the overall timeline.
