Williamson County is getting ready to show off its newest piece of government real estate: a $90 million, three-story administration building at 1848 Texas Trail in Georgetown that officially opens July 14. A grand-opening ceremony will kick things off, followed by the commissioners’ first meeting in the new courtroom at 9:30 a.m. Staff started moving in on a staggered schedule in June, trading crowded downtown offices and the historic courthouse for a 120,000-square-foot complex the county hopes will serve it for decades.
The county secured its certificate of occupancy the week of June 5, then began a phased move-in. The legal department and the county manager’s office went first, followed by the Georgetown Tax Office, which was scheduled to move June 22–24, and the County Clerk’s office, slated for June 26, according to Williamson County.
County Manager Rebecca Clemons has framed the project as a long-haul solution, telling KXAN the county “anticipates being in the building about 50 years” and that the additional space is needed to keep up with a growing workforce.
What departments are moving
The new complex will pull many of the county’s key offices under one roof. Moving in are the County Judge’s office, County Treasurer, Tax Assessor-Collector (with a drive-through for added convenience), the County Clerk’s records division, County Auditor, County Manager, legal and public affairs staff, plus the budget and purchasing offices and the Commissioners Courtroom. The facility, about 120,000 square feet on a tract near Southwestern Boulevard, came with an estimated price tag of roughly $90 million, according to Community Impact.
Why this matters for downtown Georgetown
County leaders say the move should ease overcrowding in the historic courthouse and free up prime downtown space once dozens of administrative functions relocate. That, in turn, could open the door to new uses for the old buildings. The shift is also tied to a larger vision, as the county pursues long-range plans for a new justice complex and a more campus-style setup for its operations, according to Williamson County. It is all part of an effort to modernize how the county works as the population keeps climbing.
What residents should know
For residents, the timing of the move means a few short-term headaches. The county has warned that the Georgetown Tax Office at 904 S. Main St. will be closed to the public during its move June 22–24, and has directed people to offices in Cedar Park, Round Rock or Taylor for tax services during that period. The County Clerk’s research library is also set to remain closed through the end of June while records are transferred, according to Community Impact.
Officials say the new administration building is meant to give staff enough room to manage a region that has been expanding rapidly and to meet community needs for many years. The July 14 grand opening will offer residents their first up-close look at how the county intends this new government hub to function day to day.
