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Montgomery County Advances $250M Courthouse Plan

**Montgomery County Greenlights $250 Million Judicial Complex to Address Overcrowding, Security Needs**

**CONROE, TX –** Montgomery County’s Commissioners Court unanimously approved a significant step forward last Tuesday, advancing plans for a new $250 million judicial complex in downtown Conroe. The ambitious project aims to critically address severe space constraints and long-standing security concerns plaguing the county’s current court facilities, which have struggled to keep pace with the region’s explosive population growth.

The approved plan outlines a two-phase development. The initial phase will focus on constructing a state-of-the-art, 400,000-square-foot main courthouse building alongside an 8-story parking garage designed to accommodate 1,000 vehicles. This new structure is slated for a prominent location on the south side of the Montgomery County Plaza, directly across from the cherished historic 1936 courthouse. County officials anticipate a completion target of 2026 for this crucial first phase.

“This is a monumental step for Montgomery County, ensuring our judicial system can efficiently and safely serve our residents for generations to come,” stated County Judge Mark Keough following the vote. “Our current facilities are bursting at the seams, and the safety of our judges, staff, and the public has become a paramount concern.”

The need for expanded and modernized judicial infrastructure has been a persistent issue for over a decade. Departments such as the District Clerk, County Clerk, District Attorneys, and numerous District Judges currently operate in severely overcrowded conditions, often utilizing costly temporary leased spaces and struggling with outdated security protocols within the nearly 90-year-old historic courthouse. The existing building lacks the necessary secure separation for judges, inmates, and the public, posing daily challenges to judicial operations and personal safety.

Commissioners Charlie Riley and James Noack were vocal proponents of moving the plan forward during Tuesday’s session, emphasizing the long-term benefits and necessity. “We’ve put this off for too long,” said Commissioner Riley. “The population growth isn’t slowing down, and neither should our commitment to providing proper facilities for justice to be served.” Commissioner Noack added, “This investment is about more than just concrete and steel; it’s about the fundamental integrity and safety of our justice system.”

The estimated $250 million cost will cover the new building’s construction, the parking structure, extensive site work, and the demolition of non-historic structures currently occupying the chosen parcel. The project will be financed through Certificates of Obligation (COs), a debt instrument issued by local governments without requiring voter approval, typically for essential public infrastructure. This financing approach comes after a similar, albeit smaller, bond election for a judicial complex failed to gain voter approval in 2015, highlighting the county’s urgency to address the issue.

Brown Reynolds Watford Architects (BRW Architects), a firm recognized for its expertise in civic and judicial design, has been selected as the design firm, with Tellepsen Builders overseeing construction management.

Phase Two of the comprehensive plan involves a significant renovation of the existing historic 1936 courthouse. Following its restoration, the iconic building is expected to house administrative departments such as the County Attorney and County Clerk, once their judicial functions have successfully relocated to the new complex. In the interim, some county departments, including the Public Defender’s Office, may temporarily relocate to other county-owned buildings during the construction of the new judicial complex to alleviate immediate space pressures and allow for site preparation.

The new complex is expected to dramatically enhance operational efficiency, improve public access, and provide modern, secure environments for all judicial proceedings, marking a transformative moment for Montgomery County’s legal system and downtown Conroe.

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