Hidalgo County Receives Certificate of Occupancy for New Courthouse
Staff Report
EDINBURG, Texas — Hidalgo County has received a Certificate of Occupancy for its new courthouse from the City of Edinburg, marking a significant step toward opening the facility to the public. The certificate ensures that the courthouse meets all structural and safety standards required for public use.
“This has been a long time coming, and we appreciate the public’s patience,” Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said. “Our objective was to ensure the public’s safety in the most cost-effective manner possible, and we believe we have fulfilled that objective.”
The next steps in the courthouse opening process include:
- Inspection by the Texas Jail Standards Commission: The holding facilities within the courthouse must pass an inspection to ensure compliance with state jail regulations. Upon approval, the building will be handed over to Hidalgo County.
- Transition to the new facility: The County will begin moving millions of legal documents and hundreds of employees into the courthouse. After the move, the facility will officially open for public use.
- Phase II construction: Work has already begun on the next phase of the project, which involves demolishing the old courthouse structure.
The new courthouse is expected to streamline county operations and enhance public access to government services once it is fully operational.
Source — Hidalgo County