JACKSON, Wyo. — Plans to replace the Teton County Justice Center are underway following the voter-approved $88 million SPET initiative that passed in November with a margin of 28 votes.
Representatives from Wember, Teton County’s Owners Representative for capital projects, and Anderson Mason Dale (AMD) Architects briefed the Commissioners on the Courthouse project status thus far, during a County Commission meeting workshop on Dec. 2.
James Taylor from AMD Architects presented the schematic design of the new 79,000 square foot, three-story building, noting that the design process is only one third of the way through, with the sketch plan and development plan needing to pass through the Town of Jackson’s planning process before ground breaking.
The new Justice Center will combine the current Teton County Courthouse and Detention Facility into one building, housing the District Court, Circuit Court, Teton County and Prosecuting Attorney’s Offices, Clerk of the District Court and the Teton County Sheriff’s Offices.
The project was last estimated to cost about $120 million, with $88 million coming from SPET funds, and $30 million coming from the County. Annual SPET collections total about $22 million per year, and the county estimates the collection period for this item would end in 2029.
The County selected AMD as the architect in February 2020 and approved a contract with them in May for architectural services in the amount of $6,480,000. The county left the door open to the possibility of the SPET initiative not passing, so on Dec. 3, Commissioners voted to formally direct AMD to proceed with the remaining items outlined in the contract.
“There’s a sketch plan that takes nearly six months, and after that, there’s a development plan that takes another six months.” Taylor said. “We’re hoping to be in for the building permit about this time next year, with construction starting sometime, I believe, in spring 2026, which I think parallels very nicely with your funding.”
Because the new courthouse will be built on the existing property, Taylor explained the project will be carried out in multiple phases of demolition and construction, with relocations necessary for some departments. The existing jail and 911 call center will be maintained throughout construction, and demolished only after the new jail on the second floor is built. The Hansen Courthouse will not be demolished.
The schematic design includes three full-size courtrooms, three judge suites and a larger security pavilion for the sheriff’s deputies. The public will access the courthouse on King Street, with a separate Sheriff’s entry on Simpson.
A traffic study is also being finalized with the town.
The project is estimated to take two to three years to complete. Taylor said with a spring 2026 start goal, move-in could occur in spring 2029; but a more concrete timeline can be developed when design, development and construction logistics are better understood.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued on Nov. 22 with a Dec. 20 deadline for construction managers. Staff will conduct interviews and bring back qualified construction managers for the Commission to consider at their Feb. 4 meeting.
