Brasfield & Gorrie are leading a $32M Alabama courthouse project in Chilton County, aiming to replace the aging facility with updated amenities, ADA compliance and consolidated county services under one roof. The project faces challenges like water access but is progressing towards a 2026 completion date, with focus on interior build-out and government construction expertise by Brasfield & Gorrie.
Brasfield & Gorrie photo
To better serve the needs of residents in Chilton County, construction crews are building a 72,000 sq. ft. courthouse on Alabama Highway 145.
To better serve the needs of residents in Chilton County, construction crews are building a 72,000-sq.-ft. courthouse on Alabama Highway 145.
The project will include licensing and administrative offices, support areas and courtrooms with a double wall system designed for optimal sound attenuation.
"The existing courthouse has become a money pit," said Allen Williams, Chilton County Commission chairman. "Due to its age, the annual upkeep and repairs have become unreasonable. Added to that are the requirements on the county to provide office space, accommodations and courtrooms for two new circuit judges."
Williams said the existing structure was built in the early 1960s and is not properly equipped to serve people with disabilities.
"Not only will the new courthouse provide ADA compliant access, it will once again house all county government offices, including our VA office," he said. "I'm elated that for the first time in 40 years, our citizens will be able to conduct all county business at one location."
Located just south of Jefferson State Community College, the project includes construction of highway access and has been a long time in the making.
"The construction of a new courthouse had been kicked around for years with no action," said Williams. "Shortly after being elected, I arranged interviews with six architectural firms. From those interviews sprang the feet for the building project.
"We budgeted $32 million," he added. "The city of Clanton worked with the commission and established a Public Building Authority (PBA) for the project. By utilizing a PBA, we can bypass the bid requirements and utilize a design-build concept. This process will possibly save taxpayers $2 million, versus the bid process. It will also cut the build time by as much as six to eight months."
Williams noted that reaction from the public has been mixed.
"Many taxpayers were initially upset the county was spending this sum of money for a courthouse, instead of using it for road repair. Now, it appears the public is accepting the fact that a new courthouse is a must."
An official groundbreaking for the long-awaited project was held in October 2024. The ceremony took place across from the site of the new facility. Gov. Ivey and other state officials were in attendance, along with representatives for general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie and Birchfield Penuel Architects.
"The building will feature two above-ground floors, as well as one level below grade," said Williams. "I believe this new courthouse will allow our citizens to spend less time attending to necessary business with county offices. One can buy their car tag, then walk across the hall and renew their driver's license. At present, those two offices are a block away in different buildings.
"The new courthouse is an accomplishment that I'm extremely proud to have played a small part in," he added. "I'm convinced a new courthouse will not only be a help to the public, but it will save county dollars in the long run."
According to Martin Snook, Brasfield & Gorrie Project Manager, one of the most significant challenges for crews has been providing water to the site.
"The water and sewer main lines are located on the opposite side of a state highway," he said. "To address this, the site contractor must jack and bore beneath the road to connect to both utility lines, which requires extensive coordination with the site contractor, civil engineer and various local and state entities."
Currently, crews are engaged in fine grading the site, installing site utilities such as sanitary sewer, stormwater and domestic water systems and have started forming, reinforcing and pouring the spread and continuous footings for the building.
"The entire site spans 13 acres, requiring a comprehensive mass grading, while the building pad and surrounding parking areas cover approximately four acres," said Snook. "Significant excavation was necessary, including a 12-foot dig for the basement, to achieve the appropriate grades."
Heavy equipment on site includes a Caterpillar D5K dozer; a Caterpillar D6RXL dozer; a Komatsu D71 dozer; a Komatsu D37 PX-23 dozer; a Komatsu D51 PXI-24 small crawler dozer; a Komatsu D61 PX1-24 GPS dozer; a Komatsu PC138 excavator; and a Komatsu PC210LC-11 excavator.
A Komatsu 238-11 excavator also is being used, along with a Komatsu 360LC-11 excavator; a Komatsu PC88-10 excavator; a Komatsu GD530A motor grader; a Komatsu 300 excavator; a Hamm H11i pad foot; a Hamm H7i smooth drum; a Komatsu WA270-7 loader; and a Caterpillar 289-D skid steer.
The project's frame is composed of structural steel, with the exterior featuring a combination of exterior insulation and finish system, insulated glass fiber reinforced concrete, brick and both thermoplastic polyolefin and standing seam metal roofing.
Snook said there was significantly more topsoil on the site than the geotechnical report indicated, so the soil has been stockpiled for future use by the county. Also, an existing well on the site required demolition. The contractor excavated the well, incorporated bentonite, sealed it with concrete and then backfilled with soil and compacted it.
Although rain and snow have caused some delays, the weather has not been a significant issue for crews. The high sand content in the soil facilitated quicker-than-expected drying.
Over the course of the project, approximately 89,000 cu. yds. of dirt will be moved. The interior build-out will be the most time-consuming aspect, because of the numerous smaller rooms required for county agencies on the first floor.
The new courthouse should be completed in 2026. Snook said Brasfield & Gorrie's experience in government construction can't be overstated.
"Our federal division has proven invaluable, providing expertise and guidance to the architect, preconstruction team and project members on milestones and potential challenges," he said.
He also called it a privilege to be involved in something that will be a cornerstone and source of pride for Chilton County.
"This project is a promising investment in its people and future success. For the past six decades, Brasfield & Gorrie has been dedicated to building strong communities. Our ability to leverage our expertise for Chilton County's benefit underscores this dedication, particularly in a community that so many of our employees and trade partners call home." CEG
Cindy Riley
Birmingham, Ala., native Cindy RIley originally planned on a career in law, but during her sophomore year in college realized journalism was her true calling. A magna cum laude graduate of Samford University, Riley first worked in radio and TV. Named Best News Anchor, Best News Reporter and Best Investigative Reporter by the Associated Press, she interviewed numerous personalities, ranging from Dr. Henry Kissinger and President Bush to Michael Jordan and Captain Kangaroo.
As a print journalist, Riley has covered a variety of topics, including construction, business, health and the arts. In addition to CEG, her work has appeared in special reports for USA Today and the L.A. Times. Other publications have included New South Magazine, Portico, Thicket, Alabama Heritage, B-Metro, Business First and Birmingham Business Journal.
Read more from Cindy Riley here.
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