COMMISSIONERS COURT
Georgetown residents air gripes about Justice Complex
EMILY TREADWAY
GEORGETOWN — Hutto is among three local cities partnering with Williamson County to apply for a multimilliondollar grant to prevent fatalities at pedestrian crossings near schools and other areas.
Cedar Park and Liberty Hill are also seeking the Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation Grant, a move announced during the May 12 Williamson County Commissioners Court session.
Also during the meeting, more residents registered their concerns about the proposed Justice Complex and its location near schools and neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, the estimated cost of the pedestrian-safety project is $22 million, with $17.5 million requested in federal funds. The county will match $3 million out of the road and bridge budget and Hutto, Cedar Park and Liberty Hill will split the remaining $1.5 million.
“This (grant seems) like a great opportunity to try to improve the safety of our system,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey.
County Judge Steven Snell, a former educator and Liberty Hill superintendent, noted safe school and pedestrian crossings are a concern of his and Bob Daigh, the county’s senior director of infrastructure.
See GRANT • page 2 “This is a great initiative taken on by the county and our partner cities to help make street crossings safer with the hope of no fatalities,” Snell said.
In recent months, students leaving their schools have been hit by cars in Liberty Hill and Round Rock.
The child in the Round Rock incident died from his injuries.
Meanwhile, the first hour of the session was taken up by Georgetown residents speaking out against the chosen site of the county’s new justice complex, noting the location is less than one mile from an elementary school and a middle school and too close to several new family neighborhoods.
Covey has requested residents with complaints or concerns about the justice complex provide their information to County Manager Rebecca Clemons.
The planned center will include a new county jail.
In March, commissioners approved buying 253 acres for nearly $76 million for the future complex in southeast Georgetown. The largest tract is a 134-acre triangular property at 1200 CR 110.
A separate meeting was held Tuesday afternoon to discuss countywide interim plans, including the new justice complex and future use of the historic courthouse downtown, where Commissioners Court currently meets.
Follow the Taylor Press for more updates regarding the meeting.
The court will next meet at 9:30 a.m. May 19, at 710 S. Main St. Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx.gov/331/ Commissioners-Court.
“ “This is a great initiative … to help make street crossings safer with the hope of no fatalities.”
— County Judge Steven Snell
