The new courthouse will resemble the 1910 structure known for its beauty. The new space will have security features not possible with the current structure, officials said. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File Photos and Artist Rendering)

A week and a half after demolition began at its future site, a groundbreaking will be held Thursday for the new Smith County Courthouse.

Building demolition at the site in downtown Tyler began last Monday. Construction crews will spend the next four to five weeks clearing the plot of bricks, boards and scrap concrete.

As progress is made, county officials are recognizing efforts that initiated this project over 20 years ago and reflecting on history.

The county will break ground on the courthouse at 9 a.m. on Thursday. The ceremony will be held behind the current courthouse on Spring Avenue.

Guests are asked to park in the county parking lot at 303 E. Ferguson St. or the Fair Plaza Parking Garage, located at 208 S. College Ave.

The construction of the new courthouse is scheduled to begin by late October, with the parking garage also set to open around the same time.

Plans for a new courthouse began in 2000, when a comprehensive master plan was developed, estimating $156 million for a new courthouse and supporting facilities. A task force outlined the need for a new structure, namely because of an expanding judicial system.

A shooting occurred in 2005 at the courthouse, bringing security concerns to the forefront and shifting the focus from renovations over to safety. Over the next 15 years, various analyses and community input meetings reinforced the need for a new courthouse to address safety, security and logistical issues.

In 2022, voters supported a bond package for the project, which includes the courthouse and a parking garage, totaling $179 million. A groundbreaking was held in October on the $19 million garage, which is nearing completion. The five-story garage is anticipated to open this fall and will include over 540 spaces for jurors, county employees, attorneys, and the general public.

Once construction begins on the new courthouse, the facility is expected to be completed by September 2026, with the transition planned for that fall. The final phase will see the demolition of the current courthouse and the completion of construction on the east side of the square.