After years of planning and construction, Chilton County is preparing to open its new
courthouse, a facility nearly three times the size of the current building and designed to serve the community for decades to come.
Situated on a 10-acre site, the new courthouse represents a significant step forward in both space and functionality. County leaders say the expanded layout will better accommodate the needs of a growing population of more than 60,000 residents, while also allowing room for future expansion.
The building itself is structured across multiple levels, each designed with efficiency and accessibility in mind. The basement level will house critical services including 911 operations, Veterans Affairs, records management, a secure sally port, and improved accessibility features for disabled residents.
On the first floor, residents will find many of the county’s most frequently used offices
centralized, including probate, tax, sheriff’s office, driver’s license services, the county
commission, revenue office, and the district attorney’s office.
The top floor is dedicated to courtrooms, featuring modernized systems and expanded capacity. Officials note the updated technology and improved layout place the courthouse among a select number of facilities with fully modern court systems.
The project has been in development for approximately six years, with roughly one year dedicated to construction. County officials emphasized that the courthouse was intentionally designed with future growth in mind, allowing for additional expansions if needed.
Financially, the project represents a major investment by Chilton County taxpayers.
Approximately $10 million was paid in cash, with the remaining costs tied to a 20 year bond, bringing the total public building investment to around $30 million. Leaders noted that both grant funding and local contributions helped make the project possible.
Infrastructure improvements have also been made around the courthouse, including new turning lanes along Highway 145 to improve traffic flow and access. Emergency services have already processed multiple address requests through 911 in preparation for the transition.
The facility will feature all new furnishings and updated systems throughout, reflecting a commitment to modernization and efficiency. Officials say the entire county can take pride in the new courthouse.
The site will also serve as a gathering place for the community. A Memorial Day service is planned at the new courthouse, with preparations beginning the Friday prior and memorial displays scheduled to be in place by 10 a.m. on Monday.
A formal grand opening celebration is scheduled for June 29, although county operations will begin earlier.
The old courthouse will be closed May 22 and the new courthouse will open June 2nd.
(Note: Special thanks to Commissioner Darrell Bone for providing a tour of the new facility and sharing insight into the project with Piper Peach Media.)
