Demolition phase to begin for new Smith County courthouse

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – Construction in downtown Tyler has been going on for months and next week it’s going to get busier with the demolition of buildings for the next phase of the new courthouse project .

“Phase two is starting of the construction of the courthouse but the demolition of the east side of the square actually has to start first and that will begin on Monday,” Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said.

According to officials, the buildings along North Spring Avenue will come down next week. People who visit or work downtown should plan for detours and parking changes .

“You see all of the fencing all around but you’ll see people in there working and heavy equipment pushing down buildings and walls,” Franklin said.

Franklin shared that a while back they started purchasing the buildings needed to be demolished for the new courthouse.

“It all worked out fine and so they’re out and have new locations,” Franklin said.

Currently, crews are looking underground at fiber and utility lines to prevent any issues moving forward.

“It’s been so many years ago I think sometimes they drew plans on a napkin back then. We had to bring a lot of heads together to determine exactly what was underneath the ground and where it was,” Franklin said.

This demolition will lead to actual construction beginning as soon as the fall.

“We’re starting on Monday and we hope to have it all leveled off and ready to start building the new courthouse by the end of October,” Franklin said.

He said more parking spaces are coming this fall as the downtown parking garage should be complete by the end of October.

Franklin said he is thankful for people’s patience as construction goes on throughout downtown Tyler.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.