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Architects tell Titus County annex can be salvaged but renovations will be costly
Summary
Architexas presented a facility study at a June 22 workshop, identifying safety, accessibility and code issues at the county annex, estimating renovation costs at about $450 per square foot vs. $575 for new construction, and noting an upcoming July 22 decision point for facade bidding.
Architects from Architexas told the Titus County Commissioners Court on June 22 that the county annex across the street is salvageable but requires significant work to meet courtroom safety, accessibility and code standards.
Renee Powell and Anna Kearns said the annex has security and functional deficiencies including co‑mingling of the public and in‑custody defendants, insufficient holding facilities, poor acoustics that affect privacy, and multiple accessibility issues in restrooms and ramps. The building contains underused second‑floor space and historical exterior walls dating back to 1911, and the architects recommended several options: renovate in place, add vertical square footage on the east side or build a new facility.
Architexas provided rough cost comparisons based on contractor contacts: approximately $450 per square foot to renovate the existing building versus about $575 per square foot for new construction. The architects cautioned these are preliminary estimates and recommended a full cost estimate if the county opts to proceed. They noted that a phased renovation is possible but often unpopular with building occupants, and that a full renovation could require 18–24 months of offsite operations for some functions.
Architects also noted ADA and building‑code constraints: without an elevator, expanding second‑floor staff use could trigger accessibility requirements; existing mixed‑use occupancies lack required fire separations or suppression systems; and about half of the restrooms are not ADA compliant. The presentation concluded by urging the court to weigh downtown location benefits against renovation costs and to decide whether to proceed with facade bids by the July 22 deadline.
The workshop closed with the court agreeing to consider the architects' recommendations in a future meeting and to return with more detailed cost information if requested.
