Justice Center update: demo’s mostly done, but permit timing is the risk

If you’ve driven past the courthouse site lately and wondered what comes next: the county’s Justice Center build says demolition of the old courthouse is mostly complete, with crews shifting into shoring and earthwork along the north and west property lines. The latest monthly update also says the temporary modular courtrooms/offices have been occupied since March, with punch-list fixes still underway. That’s according to the county’s May 4 staff report, Justice Center Project Monthly Update.

For families, the most “watch this” detail isn’t the technical construction language—it’s the calendar. The report lists a May 11 groundbreaking and a tentative “Fall 2028” completion, and it flags that getting the Town of Jackson building permit approved on time matters: final approval is scheduled for May 8, and the report warns that any delay past May 15 could delay the start of building construction.

Money-wise, the project team says it’s working within a total budget of $118.5 million (including soft costs and contingencies) and is “currently on budget” following the final Guaranteed Maximum Price approval in February. The update also calls out a very real risk for taxpayers: tariff-related and construction escalation costs, and the team’s effort to lock in pricing by finalizing submittals and purchase orders before anticipated increases.