Tom Green County Courthouse Prepares for Overdue Remodel

SAN ANGELO, TX- A few occupants of the Tom Green County Courthouse are in the process of moving to the second floor of the Edd B. Keyes Building on 113 W Beauregard Ave. The move is part of the remodeling plan for the courthouse.

This move will create some vacancy at the court because it’s overdue for renovations to deal with mold, ventilation, and technology issues, said County Judge Stephen C. Floyd.

“We needed some empty chairs, and some space to conduct judicial functions,” Judge Floyd added.

The departments moving to the building include the treasurer, auditors, and human resources. Judge Floyd mentioned some of minor department heads under his jurisdiction will also be in the new office.

“All of these [offices] are inner related,” Judge Floyd said. “They don’t access the public a great deal, but they themselves interact a great deal."

The Tom Green County’s Commissioners' Court works directly with these departments, and will have a conference room in the building.

Once this move is finished, the last phase is to begin renovations on the courthouse. Some of the requirements needed for the project will ensure up-to-date fire safety, functionality, and efficiency of the courthouse.

Judge Floyd said this renovation is crucial since the last updates to occur took place in the early 1980s.

Because of the historical status of some of the courtrooms, the City applied for a restoration grant to alleviate some of the cost; however, it was denied. Judge Floyd said the officials will apply for the grant again as the renovations go forward.

For the remodel schedule, the options are for a two-year or five-year plan, depending on certain factors, Judge Floyd said. He added that these options depend on finding a location where the court functions can proceed during the remodel.

“We can completely vacate the building and allow the contractor to go from top to bottom, or we will have to work around the remolding as it progresses,” he noted.  

Angelo Apartment Movers were contracted to work the move. Judge Floyd mentioned that trustees from the Tom Green County Jail were previously assigned to the move, but due to the number of people needed and the request for specific equipment, a moving company was chosen as an alternative.  

“It was very time consuming because you only get the trustees available that day,” Floyd said. “They also don’t have the equipment or the expertise for this kind of move.”

Additionally, Floyd said the moving company could guarantee the project would be finished by the end of the week.

“It’s not just moving furniture,” Floyd added. “We have to coordinate with IT and communications at the same time.”

The court has been frugal with the renovations, leaving some available funding for the moving contract. The Judge said there are always contingencies set aside for the contractor and owner as well.

Applications for selecting a construction manager for the project are due by March 31. Judge Floyd also mentioned that the next commissioner’s court it scheduled for March 28 in the new office.