The new webpage for Smith County Courthouse planning. (Screenshot)

The Smith County government has created a webpage with information related to the new courthouse the Commissioners Court is in the process of proposing.

The website has links to the past 20 years of studies about new courthouses, and includes a citizen input survey that allows people to voice their opinions.

There are several potential locations for the courthouse. They include the downtown square near the corner of Broadway Avenue and Ferguson Street, and property just west of the square.

Options farther from the square are the current juror parking lot on the corner of Ferguson Street and Fannin Avenue, and the old Gulf States property at the corner of Oakwood Street and Center Avenue.

“There are three primary purposes for setting up a dedicated portion of Smith County’s website to the courthouse planning process,” Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran said in a prepared statement. “First, transparency and trust. We are dedicated to a transparent process, so the citizens in the county trust the plan that is ultimately presented for consideration.

“Second, the provision of information,” Moran said. “We understand that Smith County voters are sophisticated and informed. As a result, we are going to provide lots of information throughout the process to help with their analysis of the proposed plan.

“Third, we want and encourage feedback during this early stage of the planning process,” Moran said. “The county wants to hear from as many individuals as possible about their ideas and what is most important to them in any courthouse plan that is presented.

“It will ultimately be up to the voters of Smith County, so the more feedback, the better,” he said. “This online avenue helps us reach as many individuals as possible and ensures that the feedback we receive is from every corner of the county.”

To find the website, visit www.smith-county.com and click on “Courthouse Planning” near the bottom of the page.

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