The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Tuesday tabled plans to expand the county's main court and administration building in Lawrenceville.

Commissioners voted unanimously to postpone action on the $74.6 million project until May 3. They are considering awarding the $74.6 million contract to build the addition to Gilbane Building Company.

Commissioner John Heard said he had questions about the process of awarding the contract, including why only two of the four firms that sought the work were interviewed.

Heard said he’s “confident the process is strong,” but wants more information.

The project includes an 180,485-square-foot addition and a 1,500-space parking garage behind the existing Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center.

The project would add up to 10 courtrooms, a new jury assembly area and other facilities that Gwinnett officials say will make it easier to schedule criminal cases and make the county justice system more efficient.

In a related matter, commissioners also tabled action on a $2.2 million change order to a 2009 contract awarded to Pieper O’Brien Herr Architects to design the new facility. Gwinnett officials say the extra money – which brings the total contract to about $5 million – is needed to rethink the old design for the addition, making more efficient use of county land and improving access the building.

The addition originally was set to be completed in 2013. But commissioners put the project on hold in 2010 to postpone additional costs during the Great Recession.

You can read more about the project here.

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