Justice Center parking may ease soon

“They are pretty much done,” Bridges said.

The building can’t open until air conditioning and heating equipment is received and installed. That could be as late as September, he said. But most of the construction workers will be finished sooner and won’t be using as many parking spaces, leaving them free for visitors and staff.

The building has had parking and other traffic problems since opening at the first of the year. With staff using about 100 places, that leaves about the same number for visitors. But jury panels can be more than 100 leaving no space for others. There also have been wait times as long as 20 minutes to get out of the parking lot in the afternoon when most of the staff is leaving. Department heads are working to stagger work schedules to help alleviate the problem.

Commissioners also heard a quarterly report from the Texas A&M AgriLife extension office. It’s livestock show time around the state and youth from around the county are exhibiting their animals, Carrie Sharp, 4-H and your development extension agent, reported.

Participation is high. “Our barns are full,” she said.

In addition, hundreds have participated in programs on nutrition, gardening and agriculture topics, Extension Agent Tommy Phillips said.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Hunt said he was pleased to see so many kids participating.

“Kaufman County is moving away from agriculture with so many houses being built,” he said. “It’s good to see so many kids still interested.”