GEORGETOWN — For the second week in a row, residents at a Commissioners Court meeting took issue with the construction of the new Williamson County Justice Complex on a 138-acre parcel.
Among other concerns, critics of the proposed complex worry about incarcerated individuals being released so close to schools and homes.
The location backs to a housing addition and is one mile south of Mitchell Elementary and Wagner Middle schools, as well as several other newly built neighborhoods in the southeast part of the city.
“This is very concerning and very disappointing,” said Courtney Cross, one of many in the audience May 12 who noted none of the commissioners live in the vicinity of the future complex.
The area is in Precinct 3 under Commissioner Valerie Covey.
At the 1 p.m. meeting, County Manager Rebecca Clemons presented a slideshow outlining the reasons why county officials say the complex is needed, including overcrowding at the current jail and more space for courtrooms and county offices.
The estimated cost is $600 million to $800 million.
“I think the main questions of the people who have come (to Commissioners Court) in the last few weeks are not the ‘why’ but the ‘where,’” said County Judge Steven Snell.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles pointed out the new jail must be built in the county seat and within close proximity to a hospital.
“We want it safe wherever it goes,” Covey said.
Residents have created a NotByOurSchools.com website with information on the Justice Complex and reasons why commissioners should pick another site for construction.
The preamble to the site states: “This is a jail. Not a prison. People are released every day — a third of a mile from two schools. County jails process same-day bookings and release people around the clock.”
The statement adds, “Williamson County unanimously paid $75.8 million for a site that puts that daily release population next to two campuses serving nearly 1,700 students, on a corridor with limited walkable services and no fixed transit.”
Snell asked Clemons and commissioners to put together a list of residents’ frequently asked questions and the county’s responses and add them to the county’s website wilcotx.gov.
The session allowed for comments only, with commissioners taking no action.
Residents plan to attend next week’s meeting to continue voicing their concerns.
Commissioners will convene at 9:30 a.m. May 19 at 710 S. Main St.
Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx. gov/331/Commissioners-Court.
