Upton County Courthouse 2024 Renovations

The Upton County Courthouse in Rankin, Texas, is undergoing a major renovation involving approximately 18,039 square feet of interior space across two stories. The project, registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in October 2024, carries an estimated cost of $3,000,000. This figure translates to a cost of $166 per square foot for the alteration work.

Project Scope and Design

Burns Architecture, LLC, serves as the design firm of record for this renovation. The firm is responsible for the plans that guide the physical changes to the existing courthouse structure. Upton County is the owner of record and is funding the project using public funds. The scope is strictly limited to renovation and alteration of the existing building at 205 E. 10th Street. No new construction or expansion of the footprint is included in this specific filing.

Construction was scheduled to begin in December 2024, following the completion of plan review in October 2024. The original completion date listed on the filing was June 2025. However, the TDLR record has not yet recorded a final inspection. This means the official status of the site’s completion is not confirmed in the public database. The current TDLR status remains "Review Complete," indicating that the paperwork and plans have been processed, but the physical inspection closing the project has not been logged.

Local Context and Ownership

Upton County has six other TDLR-registered projects in Rankin, totaling $7,300,000. These include closed projects such as the Upton County Sheriff's Office Expansion and the Tommy Workman Park renovations. Burns Architecture, LLC, has also been involved in six other projects across West Texas, totaling $7,900,000, including work in Pecos, Ballinger, and Big Spring. The courthouse is located in a community with a population of about 1,299 according to U.S. Census estimates for ZIP code 79778. Nearby businesses include the Rankin Public Library, the United States Postal Service, and First State Bank of Rankin.

The project is part of a broader set of public infrastructure updates in the area. Other registered projects in Rankin include new construction for the Rankin Independent School District and additions to Rankin County Hospital. The courthouse renovation fits within this pattern of maintenance and development in the county seat. The specific focus on accessibility and renovation ensures that the facility meets current standards while preserving its existing structure. The absence of a final inspection record means that while the work was planned to conclude in mid-2025, the official closure of the project file is pending in the TDLR system.