THE APEX TIMES
Scott County continues work on new Justice Center in Georgetown; officials say all court services will be under one roof
The 69,000-square-foot project will add six courtrooms, expand courtroom availability, increase security controls, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, according to county and judicial officials.
Construction is continuing on the Scott County Justice Center on Broadway in Georgetown, a $55 million project intended to replace aging courthouse space and consolidate court operations into a single facility, officials said July 6.
When the current courthouse was built more than 30 years ago, the county had two judges in the 14th Circuit, Judge Jeremy Mattox said. Since then, Scott County’s population and court caseload have increased, and the judicial system has grown from two judges to six, including two district judges, two circuit judges, and two family court judges.
Mattox said the court system is currently operating out of three separate buildings. Under the planned Justice Center, the facility will include six courtrooms, with each judge having a designated courtroom so that proceedings can proceed with fewer scheduling constraints between judges and court divisions.
Officials said one of the most immediate benefits expected from the new facility is faster service for residents. Mattox said the added courtroom availability will allow people to have their day in court sooner by reducing the need to work around limited courtroom time and shared schedules across multiple buildings.
In addition to courtroom capacity, county leaders said the design will bring increased security measures. Mattox described secure entry doors and designated staircases and walkways for inmates intended to control movement within the building, while also supporting courtroom operations under one roof.
Scott County Judge Executive Joe Pat Covington said the facility is intended to strengthen access to the judicial system for the community. The project also includes 85 public parking spaces for use when court is not in session. Officials estimated the Justice Center is scheduled for completion at the end of 2026.
Why It Matters
- A larger, consolidated courthouse facility is expected to reduce delays caused by limited courtroom availability and multi-building operations, improving timing for scheduled court proceedings.
- Increased security features could change how inmate and public access to the court facility is managed, affecting day-to-day operations for staff, litigants, and the public.
- The project’s $55 million price tag and end-of-2026 timeline make completion a key milestone for county budgeting, facility planning, and public service delivery.
- By creating designated courtrooms for each judge, the new center is intended to support more stable scheduling and less courtroom reallocation across divisions.
- The shift from a courthouse built more than 30 years ago to a new facility reflects institutional capacity changes as Scott County’s judicial workload has grown.
Sources
Key Facts
- Scott County Justice Center construction is underway on Broadway in Georgetown, as reported July 6.
- The project is estimated at $55 million and will cover about 69,000 square feet.
- The planned facility will include six courtrooms, with each judge receiving a designated courtroom.
- Judge Jeremy Mattox said the county’s number of judges in the 14th Circuit has increased from two at the time the current courthouse was built to six today, including two district judges, two circuit judges, and two family court judges.
- Mattox said court operations are currently spread across three buildings and will be consolidated into one facility under the new Justice Center.
- The Justice Center is expected to add faster service by increasing courtroom availability and reducing scheduling workarounds.
- County officials said the building will include increased security controls and 85 public parking spaces, and completion is estimated for the end of 2026.