Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office begins major 20,874-square-foot remodel

Rockwall County officials began work on a substantial remodel of the Sheriff’s Office building on January 9, 2026, converting idle jail space into functional county services and resilience upgrades. The work covers 20,874 square feet and targets more than 9,000 square feet of former jail area that has sat unused since the Rockwall County Detention Center opened in 2022. County leaders framed the effort as a cost-effective alternative to constructing a new facility, funded through American Rescue Plan Act dollars and remaining jail bond funds.

The renovation is being carried out in three phases so staff can maintain daily operations throughout the work. Phase 1 concentrates on expanding evidence storage capacity, creating a new workout area with locker rooms, increasing administrative workspaces, and carving out a dedicated Office of Emergency Management. Contractors are also maintaining and reprogramming the building’s generator so it can power the entire facility during emergencies. Sheriff Terry Garrett described the approach as fiscally prudent, saying, “This project will allow for expansion and improvements within our current building footprint, making it a more cost-effective option compared to constructing a new building.”

Although the project remained under budget as of early January, officials acknowledged it is behind schedule after encountering unexpected challenges during demolition of the former jail. Commissioner John Stacy predicted Phase 1 would be completed by February and indicated the county could gain efficiencies by beginning Phase 2 before Phase 1 is fully finished. “The growth of this county is evident all around us. It is essential to have the public safety infrastructure in place,” Stacy said.

Procurement for the entire renovation continues during Phase 1. County staff are securing raw materials, specialized equipment, skilled labor, and subcontractor services needed to meet future deadlines and quality standards. Phase 2 will require a temporary relocation of dispatch services while new office space is built for detectives, interview rooms, and additional administrative functions. County officials said emergency communications should remain uninterrupted and that they are coordinating with North Central Texas 9-1-1 to preserve seamless service during the transition.

Phase 3 will move dispatch into a new operations center and consolidate technological infrastructure, including relocating servers to a centralized area that will free up additional usable space and storage. By using available federal and bond funds, Rockwall County avoided seeking new financing or tax increases to pay for the work.

Construction photos from the Sheriff’s Office remodel have been posted on the county website for residents tracking progress and impacts to local services. The remodeled spaces are intended to support a growing county’s public safety needs while improving operational efficiency and emergency readiness.