El Franco Lee Service Plaza in Houston, TX

The Harris County Jury Assembly Building project, filed under the name El Franco Lee Service Plaza, is a completed renovation at 1201 Congress St. in Houston's Central Business District. This 29,000 sq ft scope of work focused on constructing an outdoor plaza area that includes sidewalks, stairs, benches, shade structures, plaques, and sculpture. The total estimated cost for this alteration was $900,000, equating to $31 per square foot.

Project Scope and Design

Harris County served as the owner of record for this public improvement project. Studio Avid was the design firm of record, overseeing the transformation of the site into a functional public space. The work involved significant exterior alterations to enhance accessibility and usability for the general public. The project utilized public funds and took place on public land within the county's jurisdiction.

The construction timeline began in August 2020, following the initial registration with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in April 2020. The scheduled build window spanned 548 days, which is longer than the 92-day median for similar renovation filings in Harris County. Despite the extended duration, the cost per square foot remained below the county median of $80.

TDLR closed the project file in January 2022, marking the end of the accessibility review process for this construction. This status indicates that the regulatory requirements for the project have been satisfied.

Local Context and Comparisons

Local coverage reported that Harris County jurors returned to the renovated downtown building, with a bailiff sign directing visitors at the site. This aligns with the project's completion timeline and its location near major landmarks such as Union Station and The Westin Houston Downtown. The area is part of the Central Business District, a hub for civic and commercial activity in Houston.

Among 38,953 similar renovation filings in Harris County, this project's cost is above the county median for its type. The estimated cost of $900,000 places it in the top quarter of comparable projects. Other projects in the same area include renovations at 300 Main St. and 235 N Sampson, indicating a trend of ongoing improvements in the district. The presence of these nearby developments underscores the importance of accessible public spaces in this high-traffic urban environment.