McCarthy + Barnsley Celebrate Rockdale County Judicial and Administrative Complex Topping Out
Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
Featuring 220,000 square feet of new and renovated buildings, the $118 million Rockdale County Judicial and Administrative Complex (RCJAC) project has topped out. As the most significant development to take shape in the fast-growing county in recent history, the refreshed complex is envisioned to serve Rockdale’s citizens as an anchor for the community.
McCarthy + Barnsley is overseeing the construction from start to finish, with the team’s extensive experience navigating complex projects a major factor in Rockdale County’s competitive selection process. With construction launched in Fall 2024, the topping out marks the build-out of the structural steel framework, a major milestone before completion.
RCJAC encompasses a 85,000-square-foot courthouse, 75,000-square-foot administrative building, the renovation of an existing 60,000-square-foot space that houses courtrooms, as well as a parking deck. Various site improvements and the demolition of the existing administration building are also part of McCarthy + Barnsley’s scope.
“This project is the definition of a collaborative effort, with teamwork across several partners and stakeholders bringing us to this key milestone in the construction process,” said Justis Brogan, vice president and Atlanta market leader at McCarthy. “Rockdale County is delivering a judicial and administrative complex that ushers in an exciting new chapter for the community, and McCarthy + Barnsley is proud to contribute our skills and expertise to make this monumental endeavor a reality.”
The McCarthy + Barnsley team navigated complex site logistics and market conditions from preconstruction through vertical construction to reach the topping out milestone, maintaining momentum through disciplined planning and coordination. Purposeful sequencing, engineered temporary works, and close collaboration with trade partners supported steady progress on both the courthouse and administration building.
Additionally, the need to coordinate phased construction and evolving design, while maintaining operations in adjacent facilities, added layers of complexity not typical in all civic projects. Through sequencing work and securing long-lead items, including switchgear and generators early, the team was able to minimize schedule risk and mitigate supply chain disruptions. Integrated 3D modeling and proactive design change management were paired with regular meetings between ownership and the design-contractor team to ensure the project maintained alignment with Rockdale County’s goals and budget.
From the beginning of the project, a central goal was to engage local and small business enterprise participation to support economic development in the community. As a result of McCarthy + Barnsley’s efforts to tap into this workforce well ahead of the construction start, including hosting multiple community outreach events, the RCJAC project has exceeded local and small business enterprise participation goals.
“McCarthy + Barnsley’s deep well of experience in building multi-layered, resilient civic structures has kept the construction timeline on track, despite some of the challenges we’ve encountered,” said Selina Schulten, president at Barnsley Construction Group. “We’re excited to celebrate this topping out as it brings us another step closer to providing a modern, secure and efficient space for judicial and administrative functions that support Rockdale County’s service to the community.”
The RCJAC is the seventh project to be launched by McCarthy + Barnsley, with the team recently completing the mass timber Brookhaven City Centre project. The joint venture was formed in 2020 between McCarthy Building Companies and Barnsley Construction Group, a women-owned firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
McCarthy is a leading general contractor firm in the Southeast, having quickly expanded its footprint in the region since launching its Atlanta office in 2005. This year marks the firm's 20th anniversary since opening their office in Atlanta, a milestone that reflects two decades of innovation, hard work and meaningful partnerships. Other notable projects in the firm’s Atlanta portfolio include multiple projects at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Georgia Tech Engineered Biosystems Building, the Centers for Disease Control Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Georgia State College of Law, and an expansion of Emory University Hospital.
For more information about McCarthy’s Atlanta office, please visit https://www.mccarthy.com/locations/atlanta.
