Commissioners authorize bonds, approve purchase of Columbia Avenue site for new courthouse

Williamson County commissioners voted July 13 to authorize bond financing and to buy the HG Hill property on Columbia Avenue as the recommended location for a new courthouse.

Judge David Veal, who identified himself during citizens communications, urged the commission to move forward, saying the special courthouse task force had concluded renovating the current judicial center was not feasible and recommended acquisition of the Hill property. "The task force determined that the Hill property is suitable for a judicial center," Veal said, urging adoption of the related resolutions.

Commissioner Sean Aiello, chair of the special courthouse task force, outlined the task force's work and said the 16‑member panel had evaluated properties within about a mile of the square and found the Hill site the most suitable. Aiello said the task force also recommended forming a continuing committee to advise the commission and the Public Building Authority (PBA) on planning and construction.

The commission approved Resolution 7 26 1, authorizing the issuance, sale and payment of general obligation bonds of up to $17,850,000 to fund acquisition and development for a new courthouse; the motion carried 23–1. Commissioners debated alternatives, with Commissioner Chaz Morton noting the bond resolution provides funding authority for acquiring real property but does not lock the county into a single site. Commissioner Greg Lawrence said the task force report made clear the county needs a new courthouse and supported securing the Hill property to preserve options.

Resolution 7 26 30, authorizing Williamson County to acquire the property at 926 Columbia Avenue and empowering the county mayor to execute transaction documents, passed unanimously (24–0). The commission also approved Resolution 7 26 29 to establish a continuing courthouse development task force (24–0) and Resolution 7 26 24, appropriating $100,000 from unappropriated county general funds for study and analysis related to judicial facilities (24–0).

Commissioners said the continuing task force will provide oversight, quarterly progress reports and stakeholder input as the project moves toward the PBA for possible management of design and construction. Aiello said the group will work with the city of Franklin on impacts to downtown and with judicial stakeholders to meet operational needs.

The resolutions advance a multi‑step process rather than an immediate construction contract: the bond authorization and property acquisition secure the site and funding authority; further design, budgeting and PBA referral remain to come. The commission recorded its votes and established the task force to report back as planning proceeds.