Williamson County breaks ground on new annex

Williamson County breaks ground on new annex

By Kelsey Wilkinson Thursday, 23 April 2009

More than 50 Williamson County residents and officials attended a ground breaking ceremony today for the J.B. and Hallie Jester Annex at 1801 E. Old Settlers Blvd. The new annex will be approximately 29,000 sq. ft. and will house the offices of Williamson County's Precinct One Commissioner, the Justice of the Peace, the Round Rock Constable and the Round Rock Tax Collector. It will also be the first tax office in the county to offer a drive through window.

“This building has been a long time coming,” said Precinct One Commissioner Lisa Birkman, who will have an office in the new building. “This has been a 10-year project and hopefully one year from today or sooner we will be back here for the ribbon cutting ceremony.”

The new annex will be located on property once owned by Joseph Bailey Jester and his wife Hallie Bradley Jester, and it has been in the family since the late 1800s until Williamson County purchased the land. Williamson County Judge Dan Gattis recalled meeting Hallie Jester when he first moved to Round Rock as a teacher; she was one of the first friends he made in the city.

Locally owned Moman Architects will design the plans for the buildings and Round Rock-based Chasco Constructors will manage the construction. Round Rock City Councilman Joe Clifford remarked on this unique aspect of the future annex.

“This is a great example of utilizing local money for local government,” Clifford said, adding that by keeping the business in Round Rock the community can continue to develop.

For more information visit www.wilcogov.org or call Commissioner Lisa Birkman at 733-5380.