Madison County Hires Architecture Team for $100M Courthouse Replacement

The new courthouse will replace the existing facility and better serve the community.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:24pm

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The Madison County Commission has announced that Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) will lead the architectural planning for a $100 million project to replace the county's existing courthouse. GMC will work with Matheny Goldmon Architecture and Interiors on the estimated five-year project, which aims to deliver a more functional facility that better meets the community's needs.

Why it matters

The current Madison County Courthouse has been deemed inadequate to serve the growing community, prompting the county to invest in a major replacement project. The new courthouse is expected to provide improved functionality and better accommodate the county's long-term needs.

The details

Under the approved agreement, up to $6.83 million is authorized for architecture and engineering services. In the first phase, a site and building evaluation will be conducted to determine the final project configurations, which could include a single new facility or two new buildings. The proposed timeline includes design, contract negotiations, construction, and other key services.

  • The project is expected to take approximately 5 years to complete.
  • A site and building evaluation is planned to take about 10 weeks.

The players

Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC)

The architecture firm that will serve as the architect of record for the courthouse replacement project.

Matheny Goldmon Architecture and Interiors

A Huntsville-based firm that will work with GMC throughout the project.

Phil Riddick

Madison County Commissioner who said the new courthouse will be a "tremendous asset" to the community.

Rex Vaughn

Madison County Chairman who is optimistic about the project's progress and grateful for the collaboration.

Jeffrey Brewer

GMC Chief Executive Officer who said the firm looks forward to delivering a facility the community is proud of.

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What they’re saying

“We've been working toward this moment for nearly two years—not just in conversation, but through real progress and meaningful partnerships. Crossing this threshold is significant, and I'm confident we've made the right selection. This new courthouse will be a tremendous asset to our community and far more functional than what we have today.”

— Phil Riddick, Madison County Commissioner

“I have had the pleasure of speaking with many people over the past week about the courthouse and the challenges ahead. It's encouraging to see this phase gaining momentum and poised to move quickly. I'm optimistic about where we're headed and grateful for the collaboration that's brought us to this point.”

— Rex Vaughn, Madison County Chairman

“To be trusted with the design of the Madison County Courthouse is a great responsibility that we look forward to delivering. Our team looks forward to working closely with the county and our partners to provide a facility that the community is proud of and finds value in.”

— Jeffrey Brewer, GMC Chief Executive Officer

What’s next

In the first phase of work, a site and building evaluation will be conducted to determine the final configurations of the project, which is planned to take about 10 weeks.

The takeaway

This major investment in a new Madison County Courthouse reflects the community's commitment to providing a modern, functional facility that can better serve the growing population and meet their long-term needs. The collaboration between the county, architecture firms, and project partners is key to ensuring the successful delivery of this important public infrastructure project.