Funding type
This project involves public funds, public land, or is a Federally funded roadway project.
McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center)
520 Columbus Ave., Waco, TX, 76701
McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center) is a renovation/alteration project at 520 Columbus Ave., Waco, in McLennan County, TX, tracked from its Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) registration. Under construction, estimated completion Feb 2027. The project has an estimated value of $53.9M across about 78,605 sq ft.
- Estimated project value
- $53.9M
About this figure
Estimated construction cost supplied in the TDLR filing. This is not a current property appraisal or a final construction invoice.
- Reported floor area
- 78,605 ft²
About this figure
Square footage reported for this scope of work. It may cover only part of a larger property.
- Estimated cost / ft²
- $686/sqft
About this figure
Calculated from this filing’s estimated cost divided by its reported square footage. Available only when both figures are supplied; it is not a market benchmark.
- Scheduled duration
- 2 years
About this figure
The interval between the filed start and completion dates. These dates describe the proposed schedule and do not measure actual construction progress.
The project record
Project timeline
Explore filed milestones and scheduled dates. Open a milestone for its source.
4 timeline dates shown.
Scheduled construction start · Scheduled date
A date supplied in the filing; this does not confirm that work started or finished.
Source: TDLR filing
View source recordProject registered · TDLR filing
Registration of the project with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
45 days after the preceding date shown.
Source: TDLR filing
View source recordReview complete · TDLR filing
The filing records completion of the accessibility review.
Same day as the preceding date shown.
Source: TDLR filing
View source recordScheduled completion · Scheduled date
A date supplied in the filing; this does not confirm that work started or finished.
664 days after the preceding date shown.
Source: TDLR filing
View source record
📰About McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center)
The McLennan County Judicial Center renovation at 520 Columbus Ave. in downtown Waco is converting a 6-story former jail into a new courthouse facility. The project, filed as the McLennan County Jail Remodel, involves a renovation and addition of 78,605 sq ft. TDLR completed plan review in April 2025, and construction is scheduled to finish in February 2027, with work starting February 2025.
The estimated cost for this McLennan County Judicial Center renovation is $53,934,465, which computes to $686 per square foot. This figure is above the county median of $96 per square foot for similar filings. The scheduled build window of 709 days is longer than the county median of 122 days for renovation and alteration projects in McLennan County.
Scope and Design
The scope of work includes converting the former jail into courtrooms and associated offices. Specific spaces designated for use include District Clerk Offices, Probation Offices, and Hot Checks, along with associated facility services. Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects is the design firm of record for this project. The registered accessibility specialist listed in the filing is Kimberly J Goss.
McLennan County Purchasing Department is the owner of record. The project involves public funds and public land. The address is in the downtown area of Waco, near other registered renovation projects in the same vicinity.
Context and Status
Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects has six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $28,601,596, including facilities in Plano, Humble, and McKinney. The McLennan County Judicial Center is registered with TDLR, and the current status is Review Complete. The filing indicates the use of public funds for this significant county facility upgrade.
The surrounding area in ZIP 76701 has a population of about 1,732 and a median household income of $24,593, according to U.S. Census ACS 2023 five-year estimates. Housing in this area is predominantly renter-occupied. The McLennan County unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in July 2026, higher than a year earlier.
Review Complete
Design review complete, construction may proceed
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McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center) is a Renovation/Alteration project located at 520 Columbus Ave. in Waco, Texas. The project has an estimated value of $53.9M covering 78,605 sq ft. McLennan County Purchasing Department is the property owner and Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects is the design firm of record. The project was registered with TDLR on April 10, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the McLennan County Judicial Center scheduled to finish?
Construction is scheduled to finish in February 2027. Work started in February 2025, and TDLR completed plan review in April 2025.
What is the estimated cost of the renovation?
The estimated cost is $53,934,465. This translates to $686 per square foot for the 78,605 sq ft project.
Who is the design firm for this project?
Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects is the design firm of record for the McLennan County Judicial Center renovation.
Is the facility open to the public?
The TDLR record covers construction status only. The project is scheduled to finish in February 2027, and no opening date is listed in the filing.
What type of work is being performed?
The work is a renovation and addition. It converts a former jail into courtrooms, District Clerk Offices, Probation Offices, and Hot Checks.
What is McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center)?
McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center) is a renovation/alteration project at 520 Columbus Ave. in Waco, Texas, registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Scope of work: Renovation/addition of 6-story former Jail into Courtrooms & associated Offices, District Clerk Offices, Probation Offices, Hot Checks, & associated Facility Services.
Is McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center) open in Waco?
McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center) is still under construction in Waco, TX, with an estimated completion of Feb 2027 according to its TDLR registration.
Where is McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center) located?
McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center) is located at 520 Columbus Ave., Waco, TX, 76701, in McLennan County.
Who is the owner or developer of McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center)?
McLennan County Purchasing Department is the property owner/developer of record for McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center), per its TDLR project registration.
Who is the architect or design firm for McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center)?
Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects is the design firm of record for McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center), according to its TDLR filing.
How much does McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center) cost and how big is it?
McLennan County Jail Remodel (Judicial Center) has an estimated construction value of $53.9M and approximately 78,605 square feet (about $686/sqft), based on its TDLR filing.
Scope of Work
Renovation/addition of 6-story former Jail into Courtrooms & associated Offices, District Clerk Offices, Probation Offices, Hot Checks, & associated Facility Services.
Note: This project is registered under the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) program. TDLR registration is required for commercial and public facility construction to ensure compliance with accessibility requirements under Texas Government Code Chapter 469.
Location & views
520 Columbus Ave., Waco, TX, 76701
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