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April 30 2025
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Vol. XXVII • No. 9
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By Cindy Riley
To better serve the needs of residents in Chilton County, construction crews are building a 72,000-sq.-ft. courthouse on Alabama Highway 145. The project will include licensing and administrative offices, support areas and courtrooms with a double wall system designed for optimal sound attenuation. “The existing courthouse has become a money pit,” said Allen Williams, Chilton County Commission chairman. “Due to its age, the annual upkeep and repairs have become unreasonable. Added to that are the requirements on the county to provide office space, accommodations and courtrooms for two new circuit judges.” Williams said the existing structure was built in the early 1960s and is not properly equipped to serve people with disabilities. “Not only will the new courthouse provide ADA compliant access, it will once again house all county government offices, including our VA office,” he said. “I’m elated that for the first time in 40 years, our citizens will be able to conduct all county business at one location.” Located just south of Jefferson State Community College, the project includes construction of highway access and has been a long time in the making. “The construction of a new courthouse had been kicked around for years with no action,” said Williams. “Shortly after being elected, I arranged interviews with six architectural firms. From those interviews sprang the feet for the building project. “We budgeted $32 million,” he added. “The city of Clanton worked with the commission and established a Public Building Authority (PBA) for the project. By utilizing a PBA, we can bypass the bid requirements and utilize a design-build concept. This process will possibly save taxpayers $2 million, versus the bid process. It will also cut the build time by as much as six to eight months.” Williams noted that reaction from the public has been mixed. “Many taxpayers were initially upset the county was spending this sum of money for a courthouse, instead of using it for road repair. Now, it appears the public is accepting the fact that a new courthouse is a must.”
CEG CORRESPONDENT
see COURTHOUSE page 6
Over the course of the project, approximately 89,000 cu. yds. of dirt will be moved.