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.
Background
Teton County's temporary court building budget rose from $118,649 to $5 million after Change Order #3, which covered all modular court facility costs.
Latest: 2023-09 — Change Order #3 finalized, establishing full modular court facility costs.
curated as of 2026-10-31
ASR-010, approved May 5, 2026, added $140,000 in architectural services for the Teton County Justice Center, expanding scope and schedule but not the $118.5M project budget.
Latest: 2026-09-01 — Project updates confirm expanded scope (third courtroom, new support spaces) and increased facility size to 80,120 sq ft, all within the $118.5M budget.
curated as of 2026-09-01
Teton County's Building and Planning fees have seen major updates since 2021, with a significant inflation-based increase effective January 2026. The Town Council will discuss the philosophy and purpose of these fees on August 17, 2026.
Latest: 2026-08-17 — Town Council to discuss and seek direction on the philosophy and purpose of Building and Planning fees, with staff and public participation.
curated as of 2026-08-14
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| April 6, 2026 | Project Board Meeting Agenda Packet | packet |