Construction on Hidalgo County’s new courthouse is complete, Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said Thursday.

Cortez told members of the McAllen Citizens League that moisture and stucco issues that prevented the seven-story, 344,000-square foot courthouse from opening are now resolved.

“Most of it was the ventilation in the stairwells, the elevators, things of that nature were still pending,” Cortez said.

The new courthouse was originally set to open in 2021. The county must now undergo an occupancy inspection by the city of Edinburg that officials say they expect to pass next week.

The courthouse must also pass an inspection by the Texas Jail Standards Board before the courthouse can open.

“Once they approve it, we start moving in,” Cortez said.

Cortez said the initial cost for the courthouse was $150 million, but it’s now grown to $190 million due to all the delays and repairs. 

Cortez said the county will look into compensation for costs taxpayers are owed.

“And we have a duty and responsibility to seek any reimbursement if anybody caused any damages, and we plan to do that if that's the case,” Cortez said.

Edinburg officials said multiple items — such as structural integrity, fire safety, ADA accessibility and elevators — will be looked into as part of its occupancy inspection.

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