A Channel 5 News team was able to go inside the new Hidalgo County Courthouse and get a first time look before doors open to the community.

The new courthouse is a major upgrade and the county expects to start using space in March.

Construction was done more than three years ago, and it was set to open in 2021, but due to issues with the construction, they couldn't get their Certificate of Occupancy from Edinburg.

The new courthouse was inspected last week and certified this week. It includes seven stories of judicial spaces and is 344,000 square feet.

"We have grown a lot. This courthouse, it's going to be really an iconic building for us to enjoy and to use for the responsibility of our judicial services that we have to provide," Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez said.

There are a lot of new amenities at the new courthouse. It is still pending an inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, but Cortez believes that will pass.

After moving in, Cortez said we'll expect to see demolition of the old courthouse begin in April to make room for more parking.