Courthouse breaks ground

At long, long last, ground has officially been broken for the Travis County Civil and Family Courts facility. The current Heman Marion Sweatt Travis County Courthouse was built in 1931, has not been renovated for 50 years, and among other things, lacks dedicated, secured waiting spaces for crime victims and families and jury facilities. Planning for a new courthouse has been in the works for years, and after an unsuccessful bond election, the county pivoted to partner with Travis County Courthouse Development Partners (a joint venture of Hunt Companies of El Paso and Chameleon Group of Austin) to get the build done. Once completed, the facility will include 25 courtrooms, waiting areas, and a law library and self-help center. “This new courts facility is long overdue,” said Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt. “Once this complex is completed, those seeking justice within our system will be able to come to a court that suits their needs and keeps in mind the interests of all parties involved.” The project team anticipates the facility, located at 1700 Guadalupe St., will be opened in 2023.