Courthouse Timeline

On Monday, March 16, 2026, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, in a 3-2 vote, officially authorized the construction phase of the new $100 million courthouse annex, marking the start of the largest capital project in Henderson County history.

This landmark decision moves the Judicial Center Addition and Renovation (JCAR) project into its second phase, following the successful groundbreaking of the detention center expansion in late 2025. 

The following timeline traces the journey of this historic project—from its initial proposal to the final blueprints of a 21st-century justice center.

July 2020, The Board of Commissioners selected Fentress Inc. to conduct an assessment of the current County Courthouse, focusing on capacity issues.

January 2021, Fentress Inc. provides the Henderson County Courthouse Space Needs Assessment

August 2021, Fentress Inc. selected to develop a Courthouse/Detention Center Conceptual Plan

November 2021, Vannoy Construction chosen to review the possibility of renovating King Street and current County Courthouse

December 2022, Review of Judicial Addition options

April 2023, Fentress Inc. provides designs and concepts for a new Courthouse

June 2023, Haskell Corporation and Cooper Construction chosen as Construction Manager at Risk 

September 2023, Construction team, Fentress Inc. along with Commissioners Lapsley and Edney begin meetings on design of new Courthouse.  These meetings take place until January 2024.

May 2024, The Board of Commissioners approved the design for the new Courthouse.

January 2026, The Board of Commissioners instructed the Haskell/Cooper team to provide a final guaranteed maximum price

March 16, 2026, The Board of Commissioners approved the new Courthouse project.

During the March 16, 2026 meeting, Board Chairman Bill Lapsley provided his Courthouse timeline.