Centroplex News

The opening date for Lampasas' new Jail and Justice Center – originally scheduled to be finished in 2019 – remains uncertain following the contractor's closing.

County Judge Randall Hoyer said to FOX44 said the delay is because the Krueger Construction Co. left the job in February when it was set to be finished in a matter of weeks. The company, which has been operating in Victoria for many years, has closed and no one is available to answer the phones. 

The company has also laid off employees, approximately 20 of which are looking for employment assistance from Workforce Solutions of the Golden Crescent. 

“We’ve been in contact with (the company), and they did confirm a layoff,” Executive Director of Workforce Solutions of the Golden Crescent Henry Guajardo told the Victoria Advocate.  

The number of employees affected by the closure of the construction company is unknown, Guajardo said. But he said they shouldn't have trouble finding new jobs.

“Most of these are skilled individuals,” Guajardo said. “We have a number of employment opportunities for them.”

Hoyer said the company had been doing well on the project until they left and filed for default with insurance. 

“They had done a great job up until the end here when they walked off,” Hoyer told the Advocate. 

The law enforcement center doesn't have a new contractor yet, but he ensured a new contractor will be brought on quickly to finish the job. 

Voters approved the new Jail and Justice Center in 2017.