Smith County Courthouse/Parking Garage Construction Updates:

November 12, 2024: The Smith County Parking Garage opened Tuesday, November 12, after a year of construction. The 543-space, five-story parking garage is free and first come, first serve for county employees, jurors and the public. The parking garage is located at 210 East Ferguson Street, next to the Smith County Annex Building. The $179 million Smith County Courthouse Bond passed with 53.73 percent of the vote November 8, 2022. The issuance of $160 million in bonds is for the new courthouse and $19 million for the parking garage. 

August 27, 2024: The Smith County Commissioners Court approved the new expected completion date of the Smith County Parking Garage for November 10, 2024. More than 60 weather days, as well as other unforeseen delays have caused completion to be pushed back. Construction of the five-story parking structure began at the beginning of November 2023.

August 15, 2024: A Groundbreaking Ceremony was held for the new Smith County Courthouse construction project. The new courthouse is expected to be completed in fall 2026, with complete move-in and demo of the current courthouse to occur by fall 2027.

July 8: Construction fencing went up around the future site of the courthouse. Demolition of the buildings on East Erwin Street and Fannin and Spring Avenues began. Construction is expected to begin after construction of the Parking Garage is completed.

October 30, 2023: Construction fencing went up around the construction site (Annex Building Parking Lot), employees were relocated to the former jury parking lot on Ferguson Street, and jurors were relocated to the City of Tyler's Fair Plaza Parking Garage, at 208 S. College Ave., Tyler. The City's meters on Ferguson, in front of the Annex Building, have been bagged for visitors-only parking. Smith County Road and Bridge employees converted four parking spaces on Ferguson Street, north of the Courthouse, to van-accessible parking spaces.

October 25, 2023: Smith Count Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the start of construction of the Smith County Parking Garage.

August 22, 2023:The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, voted to approve the sale of the voter-approved general obligation courthouse bonds after receiving five competitive bids.  

Juror Parking Map

July 5, 2023: Smith County Commissioners Court on July 5, approved appointing Hoar Construction, who is teaming with SCI Construction, to head the Smith County Courthouse and Parking Garage Bond project. The construction contractors will work with the architects and county officials on the project. The parking garage will be built first and construction is expected to start in October.

Commissioners Court Holds Special Joint Meeting with Tyler City Council on Design Plans for Downtown

The Smith County Commissioners Court on September 20, 2023, held a special joint meeting with the Tyler City Council and voted to approve a design plan for downtown public spaces, including the T.B. Butler Square. There are many more discussions to be had on design, maintenance and much more but we are excited to see what downtown could look like in the future. The City of Tyler plans to begin their construction projects, which will include downtown’s roads and sidewalks, during the construction of the Courthouse. 

To view Fitzpatrick Architect's Video on the design proposal, click here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGeLZzNwI3o

Smith County Courthouse Bond Passed by Voters

The $179 million Smith County Courthouse Bond passed with 53.73 percent of the vote November 8, 2022.

Smith County ballots showed 40,120 people, or 53.73 percent, voted for the issuance of $160 million in bonds for a new courthouse and $19 million for the associated parking structure. There were 34,552 people, or 46.27 percent, who voted against the bond.

Construction began on the $19 million parking garage in October 2023, and was completed on November 12, 2024.

Courthouse Video

A Bond Election for a new Smith County Courthouse will be on the November 8, 2022 ballot. Smith County voters will have a chance to vote on the $179 bond proposal, which includes $160 million to construct a new Courthouse and $19 million for a parking garage. Please take a few minutes to watch this educational video about the Courthouse Bond Proposal - www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqtcFB19PC0

Smith County Courthouse Educational Handout

Have you seen the educational handout with more details about the Smith County Courthouse Bond Election? If not, click here: Smith County Courthouse Bond Information

Smith County Courthouse Bond

The projected tax impact for the Courthouse and parking structure would be 3.67 cents, resulting in an increase on tax bills of $73.40 per year for a $200,000 home.

The Smith County Commissioners Court has discussed the need for a new Courthouse for years, and has held several Courthouse Planning Workshops and Community Meetings, with more planned. On March 2, 2021, representatives from Fitzpatrick Architects and Project Advocates gave a presentation on the planning for a new Smith County Courthouse to Commissioners Court. Included in it was this fly-over video on what the new Courthouse could look like in Downtown Tyler. 

To view the video, click here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPOxDug_D74

On August 1, 2022, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran have a presentation to Commissioners Court on the Courthouse Planning Project. To view it, click here: 2022-08-01 Smith County Commissioners Court - Courthouse Presentation

On March 2, 2021, representatives from Fitzpatrick Architects and Project Advocates gave a presentation on the planning for a new Smith County Courthouse to Commissioners Court.

Fitzpatrick Architects included in their presentation a video of what the new Smith County Courthouse could look like in Downtown Tyler. To view it, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLdRvypZK2Q

Citizen Input Survey

From October 2019 through February 2020, 765 people took our Courthouse Citizen Input Survey. If you participated, we thank you for your input.

Community Meetings

From October 2019 through January 2020, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran and Commissioners held Smith County Courthouse Citizen Input Meetings in each precinct of the county. Judge Moran also met with dozens of individuals, community organizations and civic groups. In January 2020, the Commissioners Court began holding workshop meetings on all issues relating to the courthouse planning project.

Once the Commissioners Court agrees on a plan, it will be presented to the community for more input during another round of meetings.

In January 2020, the Commissioners Court began holding Courthouse Planning Workshops to begin discussing specific sites and plans for a courthouse.

Over the past 20 years, numerous studies have been conducted to assess the needs of the courthouse and the judiciary, and offer suggestions on possible solutions. To view these studies, click on the links below. 

Each of those studies have reached the same conclusion--that construction of a new courthouse and associated parking structure are needed to accommodate the growth, logistic and security needs of the county's judicial system.  Although many possible solutions have been proffered, a formal plan has never been presented to the public for a vote. This will happen in 2020, and the community will get to decide what happens with the Smith County Courthouse. 

The Story of Our Courthouses

History of Previous Smith County Courthouses

The first Smith County Courthouse was a log cabin on West Erwin Street in 1846. A year later, a new courthouse was constructed of logs on East Ferguson. In 1848, a 520-square-foot log courthouse was built on the square.

The county prospered and in 1852, the first brick courthouse was built in the center of the square. The log courthouse was moved and used as the jail. The courthouse was remodeled and expanded, and was used for 57 years (until 1908).

In 1910, county officials held a dedication for the courthouse commonly remembered in Smith County. Located in the center of downtown, where Broadway Avenue now runs, it was known for its beauty. It was used for 45 years before it was demolished and replaced with the current courthouse. (The picture of the former courthouse is from the Smith County Historical Society Archives, R.L. Falkner Collection).

History of Current Smith County Courthouse

The current Smith County Courthouse was dedicated in 1955, and has been in use for 64 years.

The six-story facility was constructed to house two district courts, two justice of the peace courts, the jail and various county offices.

The courthouse currently houses four district courts, three county courts-at-law, the District Clerk’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Smith County Law Library and court staff.