The Dallas County Board of Supervisors just held a ceremony breaking ground on the new administration building which will be beneficial to many areas of county government. 

The Dallas County Administration Building will be 54,000 square feet that is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2024 for the price tag of $25 million dollars. Supervisor Kim Chapman says all county services that are housed around the Adel Square will be moved into this central location on 818 Court Street. Chapman explains that the courthouse needs more space with the growth of the county. 

“Unfortunately, we still have two county offices located in the courthouse. Now, with the construction of the new administration building, once that’s completed, we’ll be able to move those two departments out, which are the county treasurer and the county recorder, and they’ll move into the new administration building, and then we’ll be able to. Revamp that courthouse a little bit to accommodate more court space needs.”

Dallas County Attorney Jeanine Richie says they have had to hold some trials remotely due to the limited space at the courthouse. Richie explains that with the extra space they could potentially create an additional two courtrooms along with a sally port door.  

“Jury trials happen more in criminal cases than in civil cases. But in civil cases they were backed up due to the pandemic for about two years, and now they’re starting to come into the court docket. So we’re going to see a continued rise in the number of cases that are being litigated. So an additional one, possibly two courtrooms will be of great benefit in the courthouse.”

Ritchie says the sally port door would be beneficial to safely transport the inmate into the courtroom without disturbing the public.