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County outlines timeline and cost limits for new Courthouse Annex; GMP amendment on today's agenda
Summary
Project management presented finalized design, a fourth floor carried as shell space, a completed MOU with TxDOT for a secure bridge over Texas Avenue, and a planned notice to proceed in April; a guaranteed maximum price amendment is on the court's agenda.
Trevor Landsdown, director of project management, gave the Commissioners Court a detailed progress report on the Courthouse Annex project at 101 North on March 24.
Landsdown summarized the project's evolution: the county acquired the Bryan ISD administration property in 2021, demolished the existing structure in 2023 and engaged Plan North and construction manager SpawGlass to develop a four‑story annex with an attached parking garage and a secure bridge connecting to the courthouse. The court previously approved a $59 million construction cost limitation tied to adding a fourth floor as shell space.
He said the project team carried core infrastructure (elevators, restrooms, sprinklers) for a fourth floor but left fit‑out to be scheduled when specific tenant departments move in; Landsdown described the fourth floor as available shell space and said the $10 million figure referenced that shell work, not a finished build‑out. He reviewed department placement: transactional services and Justice of the Peace functions on the first floor, Adult Probation occupying the second floor, and the Public Defender planned for upper floors.
On schedule and approvals: Landsdown said a memorandum of understanding with TxDOT to allow the secure bridge over Texas Avenue is executed, the city approved a special use permit this morning, and 100% construction documents were expected the same week. SpawGlass’ notice to proceed was scheduled for April 6 with a tentative groundbreaking planned for April 21; substantial completion is projected at roughly two years.
Why it matters: The project consolidates several county functions, expands space for growing offices (probation, public defender) and requires traffic mitigation downtown during bridge erection. Landsdown said the team is preparing a traffic control/media campaign to notify downtown users.
Next steps: The court was asked to consider a guaranteed maximum price amendment from SpawGlass on the same agenda; staff said material testing, permitting and final documents were in motion before a notice to proceed.
