County to make move in occupying new courthouse

It looks like there's some moves being made surrounding the new Hidalgo County Courthouse as the county announced it will be taking a 'significant step' toward occupying it.

A release by the county said that a request is expected to be made to Edinburg to perform a final re-inspection of the courthouse as early as next week.

The purpose is for the issuing of a Certificate of Occupancy. With that certificate, then that begins the process of opening the 344,000-square-foot facility for public use.

Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez said that the county and Edinburg have been working together in regard to the courthouse.

“We have been working diligently with the City of Edinburg to address their initial inspection concerns,” Cortez said. “We appreciate their responsibilities to ensure this building is ready for public use.”

"Once a certificate is issued, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards will be contacted to schedule an inspection of the holding facilities within the courthouse to approve their use," the county said in a release.

In the meantime, Hidalgo County is preparing for the process of transferring legal documents, courthouse employees and equipment, the release said.