Judge Thompson, Commissioners and Supporters Hail Measures to Improve Safety for Citizens and Relieve Overcrowded Conditions of Courthouse.
Judge Thompson addresses the audience prior to groundbreaking.
Ground Broken for County Judicial Center, LIVINGSTON, January 27, 2009 - Shortly after 11 am on Tuesday, January 27, 2009, Polk County Judge John Thompson and Commissioners and other county dignitaries broke ground for the new Polk County Judicial Center. The ceremony took place across the street from the court house on West Mill Street. Judge Thompson was in a noticeably chipper mood as he presided over the ceremony and was pleased to see progress being made to relieve the current courthouse's over crowded and cramped conditions. The large 2 story structure will house the Department of District Courts, Department of Justice of the Peace, County Court at Law, Holding Areas for District and County Courts, Department of District Attorney, Department of County Clerk, and the Department of District Clerk.
"The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a construction phase enabling the Civil Engineering portion of the project to commence and start laying the ground work for site preparation and underground utility placement as well as address parking, sidewalks, and changes in grade that exist on the site" according to Keith Hester, Partner of Hesters and Sanders Architecture.
"We truly appreciate the efforts and assistance of everyone with the County as well as the City of Livingston. The Commissioners Court and the City Council have provided tremendous support to us and have been very cooperative through all the generations of schematic planning, departmental surveys, and possible layouts. They have been instrumental in getting us this far and should be commended," adds Jean Hester, Partner and Project Manager for Hesters and Sanders Architecture.
Complete building construction documents are scheduled to be issued in mid-spring with actual building construction to begin shortly thereafter. J.E. Kingham Construction Company will serve as the project's Construction Manager and General Contractor.
County Judge John Thompson leads the groundbreaking ceremony.
Jean Hester, Project Manager and Partner with Hesters and Sanders Arcitecture addresses the gathering.
Classic Hits 92.3's Ken Luck was on hand to cover the local airwaves with the big event.
Judge Thompson adresses a supportive audience.
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