Austin, Travis County, and Williamson County are growing at a tremendous rate and this growth doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. With Austin coming in at number one on several “Best Cities to Live In” lists, it’s no wonder that the area has experienced this rate of growth. On average, there are over 150 people moving to the area every single day. Austin is noted as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, according to recent data and will likely remain as one of the fastest-growing cities for years to come. With so much expansion in the population numbers, Austin and Travis County now need to provide more services for the public. Not only is more law enforcement needed, but the family and civil courts justice system needs a larger, new courthouse for Austin and Travis County.
More People in Austin, More Service Needs
Newcomers to a city may not know the intricacies of local laws and ordinances, which can lead to tickets, warnings, and arrests. Unfortunate as that may be, there is a growing need for more police to enforce the local laws, as well as more jail space and additional, expanded courts and courthouses to serve the needs of the local populace. With that need in mind and the continuously expanding population of the area, Travis County commissioners recently approved $328.5 million in certificates of obligation for a new family and civil courthouse in downtown Austin.
Travis County Courthouse Expansion
The need for a larger courthouse could not be more pronounced. The current courthouse was originally built for four courts, but at present, 19 courts are being run in the facility. Travis County leaders expect a need for 29 courts within the next 15 years. The new courthouse will be located between 17th and 18th streets, near downtown Austin and just south of the UT campus, and will provide plenty of space for serving the family and civil justice needs of a growing populace.
A New Courthouse Location in Austin
Construction on the new courthouse is expected to be completed by 2022 and the courts will be moved in by 2023. Not only will the new courthouse bring about the much-needed space for court operations, it will also provide office space and possibly retail or restaurant space at street level. The new facility will also house a law library, a multi-function room for events, a child care space for parents utilizing the courthouse, and safe victim waiting areas. Austinites should expect traffic delays and detours in this already-dense area as construction begins and crews work through the next few years to complete the new courthouse project.
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