Justice Center update warns of tariff cost spikes; May groundbreaking planned
An April 6 project report to Teton County says crews are demolishing the old courthouse site and planning a May groundbreaking, while the construction team tries to lock in purchase orders ahead of possible tariff-driven cost escalation.
Demolition and site prep are underway for Teton County’s new $118.5 million Justice Center, with a groundbreaking ceremony planned for May once demolition is complete, according to an April 6 project update to commissioners. The report says demolition of the former Hansen Courthouse began Feb. 25 and is complete, and demolition of the existing Teton County Courthouse began March 11, with air-quality monitoring in place and periodic road/sidewalk impacts along King Street and Simpson Avenue. See the full update in the Project Monthly Update Report (Apr. 6, 2026).
The update flags a key near-term risk: “unknown tariff and construction escalation costs.” GE Johnson Wyoming (now DPR Construction) told the county it has identified materials likely to increase in cost, and the team is working to finalize submittals and purchase orders to lock in pricing before increases hit.
The report also notes that modular temporary courtrooms and offices were occupied by March 6, with punch-list work continuing, and that a material-testing agreement was headed to the Board of County Commissioners for approval. The project schedule in the update continues to list construction starting in May 2026 and completion in fall 2028.
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| April 6, 2026 | Project Board Meeting Agenda Packet | packet |