Thoughtful, Driven Approach Pays Off as Officials Navigate Growth
What began as rough sketches and brainstorming sessions back in 2016 slowly evolved into a vision to address the growing needs of Chambers County. That vision will become reality late next year with the completion of the new Chambers County Justice Center. The 200,000-plus-square-foot facility will sit on a 13-acre space and feature a 336-bed county jail, four courtrooms, a county law enforcement center with a 911 dispatch center, and ample parking.
The county broke ground on the $168.3 million facility in August 2024 and is looking toward a late 2026 completion.
“Along the way, leadership explored multiple options – different sites, layouts, and even design concepts – to make sure the end result would serve Chambers County both today and well into the future,” shared Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia. “While progress may have felt slow at times, the consistent revisiting of this idea shows just how important it has always been to get it right.”
With three-plus decades of service to Chambers County, including four as County Commissioner followed by 28 as County Judge, Sylvia has had a front row seat to burgeoning growth and all that comes with it. Since Sylvia was sworn in as County Commissioner in 1993, and then Judge in 1997, the population of Chambers County has more than doubled to some 56,000 residents. The number of county employees has also increased from 300 to approximately 650, and the county budget has grown accordingly, from about $8.5 million to $75.7 million as the county has expanded services and infrastructure.
Ultimately, necessity drove the decision to move forward with a new justice center, Sylvia stated. The original jail and sheriff’s office built in 1982 were out of compliance with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, and a 1994 expansion failed to provide a long-term sustainable solution.
“The existing facilities were outdated and undersized, and the space pressures made it clear that waiting any longer was not an option,” Sylvia summarized.
In 2015, a citizen-led committee began evaluating population trends, jail standards, and future court needs, said Nathan Watkins with Americus Holdings, project developer. Chambers County engaged stakeholders early in the process and prioritized public engagement to help build community support for a long-term investment.
Using what Sylvia described as “a balanced and thoughtful approach,” the county worked with Americus Holdings, HOK Architects, and Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Inc. to ensure the jail and justice center will give staff the tools, space, and safe environment they need to perform critical functions effectively while providing important services for the community.
“This isn’t just about replacing outdated infrastructure,” Sylvia emphasized. “It’s about creating a foundation that allows for continued growth and long-term success. This vision not only addresses today’s operational needs, but also strengthens the county’s ability to adapt to future demands, making it a smart and forward-looking investment in Chambers County’s safety, efficiency, and resilience.”
The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office has used social media to keep the public apprised of progress and described the project as “a major step forward for public safety in Chambers County.”
Project Funding
A major facet of the overall vision was fiscal responsibility, Sylvia underscored.
“Rather than placing a heavy financial strain on taxpayers, the county has pursued creative and responsible strategies to fund and structure the project,” he elaborated. “Planning for the future while remaining mindful of the financial impact on residents demonstrates true stewardship of public resources. It shows that leadership understands the responsibility of investing in infrastructure without overburdening taxpayers. This conservative approach – investing wisely today to avoid larger costs and challenges tomorrow – sets the stage for a facility that will serve the county for decades.”
The county entered a public-private partnership, known as a P3, utilizing a public facilities corporation (PFC) to issue lease revenue bonds using a design-build-finance model.
Watkins explained the process as follows:
- The facility is privately owned by a public benefit not-for-profit corporation (non-profit) whose mission is to promote public safety and lessen the burdens of government.
- A PFC issued lease revenue bonds totaling $153.7 million and loaned the bond proceeds to the non-profit to fund construction of the facility.
- The non-profit engaged Americus Holdings under a guaranteed maximum price development agreement to construct the facility.
- The non-profit will lease the completed facility to Chambers County, and the county will make fixed annual lease payments from property tax revenues.
- At the end of the lease term, full ownership of the facility transfers to the county.
“This model allows Chambers County to spread costs over time and lock in construction pricing early, transferring many financial and construction risks to the facility developer, Americus Holdings,” Watkins detailed.
The lease term is 30 years from date of occupancy by the county.
Reality in Reach
Sylvia described the groundbreaking ceremony as one of the most exciting days in his 33-year county career.
“This has been a long time coming,” he told the audience. “This project is fueled by a vision for a better future for our county. It was born of a need for improved facilities and services that would ensure safety, justice, and progress for all our residents. The construction of this facility will take 31 months. During this time, we’ll see our vision come to life brick by brick.”
Chambers County Sheriff’s Office Captain Todd Harris spoke for Sheriff Brian Hawthorne, who was unable to attend the ceremony.
“We thank Chambers County and Americus Holdings for this project that will provide public safety and security,” he said.
State and federal representatives were also on hand to kick off construction including U.S. Congressman Brian Babin.
“This kind of stuff doesn’t happen every day. It takes a lot of folks working together, uniting with a united purpose,” Babin observed. “Chambers County is one of the six fastest-growing counties in the United States, so that’s something to be proud of. And the growth you’re achieving is all good growth. It is happening because you have great leaders, and you have folks that make things happen…”
Words of Wisdom
Sylvia recently announced he will retire following the completion of his current term in December 2026, finishing 34 years of service to Chambers County.
When reporting his announcement, click2houston.com wrote, “Judge Sylvia’s leadership has been pivotal in shaping Chambers County’s progress, and his dedication to public service will leave a lasting impact on the community.”
County Progress asked Judge Sylvia to share how he would advise other counties who are also navigating growth and exploring options to best serve their constituents.
The best advice we can offer other counties is to lead with transparency, persistence, and innovation. When a problem is identified, being open and honest with the public about the challenges and the need for action builds trust and creates valuable buy-in from the community. From there, diligence in planning becomes essential. Projects of this scale rarely move forward without obstacles, and careful preparation helps anticipate and overcome them.
Equally important is creativity. Challenges often require thinking outside the box, whether that means seeking unique partnerships, exploring alternative funding mechanisms, or finding unconventional solutions to complex problems. There is rarely a single path forward, so remaining flexible and open-minded can make all the difference. By combining honesty, diligence, and creativity, counties can turn difficult situations into long-term successes that truly serve their residents.
