Montgomery Co. taps architect for new justice center

CONROE, Texas – The Montgomery County Commissioners Court took a decisive step toward replacing the county’s aging judicial infrastructure on July 9, selecting Kirksey Architecture to serve as the lead designer for a proposed new justice center.

The selection of the Houston-based architecture firm marks a key milestone in the county’s long-term plan to modernize its operations, even as the project faces a critical hurdle: the need for voter approval in an upcoming bond election, which officials are eyeing for November.

County Judge Mark Keough has been a vocal proponent of the project, repeatedly emphasizing that Montgomery County’s current facilities are operationally obsolete. As the county continues to rank among the fastest-growing regions in the United States, current departments are operating in scattered, cramped locations that hinder productivity and create significant hurdles for residents navigating the legal system.

The proposed vision for the new facility is an expansive structure spanning between 300,000 and 400,000 square feet. It is designed to be a comprehensive hub, bringing together the District Clerk, County Clerk, the tax assessor-collector, the elections department, and the county attorney. Furthermore, the plan intends to house several Justice of the Peace courts, county courts at law, and district courts under one roof in downtown Conroe. The site identified for the project is located on South Main Street, strategically positioned near the existing courthouse to maintain the county’s administrative footprint in the city’s historic core.

This initiative is a direct follow-up to a failed 2022 bid to upgrade the judicial facilities. In November 2022, Montgomery County voters rejected a $160 million bond proposition intended for a new justice center. At the time, proponents argued the current courthouse, which dates back to the early 2000s, was already failing to keep pace with the massive population influx that has defined the county over the last decade.

Economic analysts suggest the price tag for the new facility will likely exceed the 2022 estimates due to persistent inflation in construction materials and labor costs. While the county has not yet finalized the specific bond amount, internal projections have previously ranged between $150 million and $170 million. County officials acknowledge that the final figure presented to voters this November will likely be adjusted to reflect current market realities.

The move to select Kirksey Architecture now is designed to ensure the county does not lose time. By initiating the selection process months before a potential vote, the court aims to hit the ground running should the public approve the funding. The county is expected to negotiate a formal contract with Kirksey Architecture within the next 90 days. This proactive strategy allows the design team to be ready to commence the schematic phase immediately following a successful election.

The Commissioners Court has framed the project not just as a construction initiative, but as a necessary step toward efficiency. By centralizing disparate county functions, the new center is expected to reduce overhead costs associated with maintaining multiple leased or outdated buildings and provide a more accessible, centralized location for the public to handle government business.

As of July 2024, the court is expected to finalize the precise language and total dollar amount for the bond proposition in the coming weeks to meet deadlines for the November ballot. Voters interested in tracking the project’s progress or reviewing the county’s long-range facility plans can find meeting agendas and public documents on the official Montgomery County website at mctx.org.