County projects update: $171 million detention center, change order approved for Amstar lab

County capital-projects staff updated the Commissioners Court on multiple projects Jan. 20, reporting progress and budget status for the new detention center and other capital work, and the court approved a change order to complete the Amstar CIB lab project.

Capital-projects director (S7) said the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the new detention center is $171,180,883 and that $92,849,524 had been paid as of Jan. 9. The project was reported at about 57% complete; staff said early dirt work and concrete issues will require schedule adjustments and a forthcoming change order. The director said permanent power should be ready to install by February and that fiber should be run by May. "We expect to get that change order here in the next coming months," the director said.

On the permanent jail sewer, staff said the original contract price was $4,377,181 but that changed methods reduced the paid amount to $3,224,542 and the project is nearing completion aside from paving and permanent power. The justice-of-the-peace and death-investigators building GMP was $21,747,338 with $11,305,300 paid and on schedule for completion in August 2026. The juvenile justice center remains in design with revised estimates expected in coming weeks.

Separately, project staff (S10) described a change order to finish the Amstar CIB lab project. The court approved the change order, which staff stated would total about $299,918 and incorporate alternates while keeping the project at or below the revised budget.

Court members did not record roll-call vote tallies in the transcript; motions to approve the change order and to accept project updates carried on voice votes. Staff said more detailed change-order documents and schedule adjustments will be brought back to the court when available.