This article originally appeared on KLTV.com.
Construction on the new Smith County Courthouse is progressing rapidly, with advanced technology helping workers build what will become the centerpiece of downtown Tyler.
The $179 million project, approved by more than 53 percent of voters in 2022, is expected to have its majority completed by late September or October 2026, with a final completion date set for the first week of December 2026. The project’s first phase was the construction of a new county parking garage, which has already been completed.
Tyler native Forrest Walker, superintendent for Hoar Construction, demonstrated how cutting-edge technology is helping with the building process. Using a tablet displaying a comprehensive 3D model, Walker showed us how every mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and architectural component is mapped digitally.
“This is a 3-D model showing all of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing items, as well as the structure and architectural items,” Walker said.
The digital model feeds information to a robot that draws precise layout lines on the floor.
“What we’re doing is we’re eliminating the manpower required to go and lay out these items, potentially saving 30, 40, 50 hours a week,” Walker said. “It really helps with the labor shortage that we’re experiencing nowadays.”
The courthouse design incorporates extensive security measures, including separate elevator systems for inmates and a secure underground tunnel connecting to the existing jail. Judges will have access to secure underground parking, while inmates will be held in what resembles a mini-jail facility below ground level.
The ground floor will house a large jury selection area and a law library complete with mediation rooms for attorneys. Courtrooms are taking shape on upper floors, along with secure holding areas for inmates.
For Walker, a Grace Community School graduate who lives in Tyler’s Azalea District, the project holds special significance.
“I can see it from my house,” Walker said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime project to be able to do in my hometown. So, it’s really cool to be a part of this.”
Project Executive Stephen Flournoy moved his family from Alabama to Tyler specifically for this construction project, highlighting the courthouse’s importance to the region.
The final phase will happen in spring 2027, when the old courthouse will be demolished and the space will be transformed into green space, completing the downtown revitalization effort.
