Friday, April 26, 2024
After meeting with representatives of justice of the peace courts and the 440th District Court to get feedback, Jeff Heffelfinger, president of Southwest Architects, gave the Coryell County Commissioners Court an update on plans for a new building to house those entities.
Structures currently being used by justices of the peace in Gatesville, as well as the district court, have been referred to as insufficient and substandard by the Coryell County Facilities Committee, which closely examined and evaluated those facilities. Members of the commissioners court have also voiced their support for building a new facility to better accommodate the JPs and district court staff.
Heffelfinger said he also met with city of Gatesville staff to determine the steps necessary to turn the vacant lot at East Main and Fifth streets, formerly known as the Foxworth-Galbraith site, into a new county facility.
The plans call for a 120-seat district courtroom, a jury box, bailiff space and courthouse holding cells.
"One thing I learned was that not only are their inmates from the county jail (using court facilities) but also those from the state prisons," Heffelfinger said of the need for space.
The new building will feature a secure area where attorneys can meet with clients "and this will really assist the sheriff's department," Heffelfinger said. "It will reduce the manpower needed on court days, which is a positive."
A guard station at the front of the building will allow the person stationed there to direct people to the right location. Heffelfinger said electronic front doors that automatically open and close will help increase energy efficiency.
Heffelfinger said he has discussed development requirements with city officials to make sure there is sufficient space and parking nearby to serve those using the new building.
"Voir dire (jury selection) is the big thing — it's probably the only time all of the parking spots will be needed," Heffelfinger said. With a target of between 130 and 150 parking spots, Heffelfinger said a lot across the street can accommodate 144 parking spots."
Regarding water runoff caused by the structure, Heffelfinger said the site was formerly all concrete, "and this building site will not be — we will have landscaping. If needed, we can create a small retention pond adjacent to the parking area."
Heffelfinger said he has estimated construction costs at $300 per square foot. Total cost for the facility had been estimated at between $6 and $7 million.
"I think it looks wonderful," said Commissioner Kyle Matthews.
"It looks great," said Commissioner Ray Ashby.
County Judge Roger Miller said the plan shows two different break areas, and asked about combining those into one to reduce costs, as well as fine-tuning restroom locations.
"This keeps (employees) within the confines of their space," Heffelfinger said, noting that having the separate areas would reduce disruptions and keep people in certain areas during court proceedings. I don't think it's in excess."
He said one of the biggest problems that can lead to distractions or disruptions in a courtroom is when people "try to shave too many pennies" during construction.
"I have no issues with what you've laid out, I'm trying to figure out how we pay for this," Miller said.
Commissioner Scott Weddle said he closely follows the commodities market and has noticed that construction costs and the prices of materials are actually coming down.
"I believe they will continue to go down," Weddle said. "Prices for copper, steel, aluminum and PVC have all gone down. This is a pretty good time to do this. That's the bright side."
Heffelfinger said he understands Miller's concerns, and also thanked Weddle for his input.
"I appreciate where you're going, judge," he said. "I just don't want to underestimate costs and come back four months from now and have the costs be more."
Noting that multiple plats will need to be combined and a city variance would be required for the proposed site, Miller asked about the possibility of locating the new building across the street.
"We still haven't completely addressed drainage, either," he said. "There is a solution but it would involve taking water and moving it across the street. So I asked myself why don't we use the property across the street."
He said that would allow the property at Fifth and Main streets to be sold if a future county use isn't needed.
Heffelfinger said one of the concerns with switching the location is required zoning changes, and added, "I don’t think (across the street) is a good site."
He said one of the benefits of the Fifth and Main location would be building the large parking lot nearby, which could be used for downtown events.
"It's the court's decision but I don't think (across the street) is nearly as good a solution," Heffelfinger said.
Ashby said he recalled previous concerns about the location across the street that led the commissioners court to decide not to develop that area.
"That was about the jail," Heffelfinger said.
"No matter which one of the options we choose there's going to have to be multiple amended plats," Miller said. "What is the best value for the taxpayer?"
He said he brought up the alternate site "strictly as a discussion."
Matthews said he appreciates the design that Heffelfinger presented.
"I think it's a wonderful design," he said. "It will aid our courts and the city of Gatesville would be able to use that parking lot" (during special events).
"I think it's a good idea and I think we should move forward with something."
Weddle asked what the next step would be if the plan is adopted.
"First will be meeting with the city of Gatesville, getting the amended plats and adding off-site parking," Miller said. "We will also get their assessment of what the drainage requirements would be."
Matthews made a motion to approve the revised building plans that Heffelfinger presented, which Ashby seconded. The commissioners voted in favor of the proposal.
