Chatham County Commissioners approved a Capital Improvement Plan including a new judicial center in downtown Pittsboro, costing nearly $20 million.

"The court system has been overloaded for number of years," Resident Ron Singleton said.

A jail holding more than 100 beds will also be constructed and County Manager Charlie Horne said it's a necessity.

"Overcrowded 60 percent to 65 percent of the time and it becomes a safety issue," Horne said.

And a high school on Jack Bennett Road, completed by 2015. This is project that in the past County Commissioner George Lucier said has been put on hold because of the failing economy.

"We have 10,000 houses that have been approved but not built yet and this will result in 2,000 to 3,000 new students," Lucier said.

So Lucier said these projects must get underway immediately.

"One of the reasons we want to start moving is it's really a way of saving money because of the current construction market bids come in under estimated cost," Lucier said.

Horne questions the timing of the school construction because county numbers show a stagnant growth in the schools at this time.

"We were saying that based on the numbers we see to hold back a couple of years," Horne said.

And the school spokesperson Beth McCullough said they have existing space to house more students.

"We've been fortunate because of some expansion to Northwood High School to have some extra room," McCullough said.

The schools will also conduct a study to determine if this school is necessary at this time.