Work has begun on phase one of the Dallas County Courthouse renovation, kicking off the reorganization of the departments within the historic building.

Phase one includes turning the east side of the second floor into a space that will house the Clerk of Court and Juvenile Court Services. Trinity Construction of Des Moines is the contractor, and they say the first phase should be finished by March 11th, and the new occupants can move in. After that, they will be able to start on the second phase, which is remodeling the entire first floor. The west wing will house the Treasurer’s Tax Department and Recorder’s Office, while the east wing is where the Department of Motor Vehicles will be moving to.

Trinity was hired to complete both of the initial phases, and the final phase — the construction of a new courtroom on the west side of the second floor — will be bid at a later date. Another aspect will be furnishing the new spaces, which will be bid on February 21st, with the contract awarded February 26th. As for the work currently in progress, the Board of Supervisors have approved the first pay application from Trinity, in the amount of $22,486.50.