HEMPSTEAD, Texas (Katy News reporting) – Waller County Judge Trey Duhon joined local and state leaders on Saturday to cut the ribbon on the county's new $44 million courthouse, marking a “historic day” he has sought for more than a decade.
The four-story, 58,000-square-foot building, on the same site as the previous 1955 courthouse, was opened to the public for tours following the ceremony and received positive comments from residents about both the interior and exterior design.
The judge calls the new courthouse a lasting legacy for Waller County
“Every generation has its time to build something that lasts. This is ours,” Duhon said. “And I believe we have built something that reflects who we are today – a county that honors its past but is firmly focused on the future.”
The courthouse project required more than ten years of planning by county leadership and included extensive public input during an 18-month design process. The final design pays homage to the county's 1880s Victorian courthouse while providing modern functionality designed to serve residents for at least the next 50 years.
Also read: Waller County is opening a new $44 million courthouse after 10 years of planning
“This courthouse was for the people of Waller County as it was designed with their input and feedback,” Duhon wrote in a social media post following the event. “It was very reassuring to hear from so many long-time residents of Hempstead and Waller County telling me how proud they were of our new courthouse.”
The New Hempstead Courthouse consolidates county services
The building consolidates county services under one roof, including the Commissioners Court, County Clerk, County Auditory, County Treasurer and Tax Assessor-Collector's Office. An entire floor is intended as a shell area, which will be expanded for future district offices as demand increases.
“This courthouse will be a place where justice is served and fairness is upheld,” Duhon said. “But it will also be a place for everyday moments – for weddings, for vows, for small victories and new beginnings.”
Due to post-pandemic inflation, construction costs exceeded original estimates
The project's cost exceeded initial estimates of $32 million due to 38 percent inflation in construction costs following the pandemic, but the county covered the increase from reserves.
Construction began in early 2024 under the leadership of Sedalco Construction and BSW Architects. The main building is almost twice the size of the previous courthouse.