The curernt Smith County Courthouse is pictured. Voters in November approved a bond proposal for a new courthouse and associated parking structure.

Now that Smith County voters have decided it’s time for a new courthouse, plans will move forward to replace the current structure built in the 1950s.

The $179 million project will improve safety and security, ensure a proper judicial process, and allow for much-needed space for operations within the courthouse. The new courthouse will ensure no public, in-custody inmates, judges and staff paths ever cross with each other without passing through additional security measures.

The new courthouse and accompanying parking garage will be built on the east side of the downtown Tyler square along Spring Street and in between the Smith County Courthouse Annex and Smith County Jail.