Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
San Bernardino County has been in desperate need of a new courthouse for decades. The
historic courthouse was built in 1928. It was recently renovated, but it’s totally
inadequate to accommodate more than 112,000 visitors crowding in every month. Security
is a dangerous challenge every day. Plus court services are scattered in 8 other facilities
in and near the city of San Bernardino. So community visionaries got proactive. The
city offered to donate to the state a 7-acre lot across the street from the historic courthouse.
In 2006 the county offered almost $9-million toward a new building. And the Judicial Council
elevated San Bernardino to the top of the statewide priority list.
At the ceremonial groundbreaking event, hundreds of community members and dignitaries celebrated
the speed with which this project is now clipping along.
Hon. Patrick Morris, San Bernardino Mayor “This moved in a way that even stunned those
of us who dreamed about it all these years.”
The site selection process was the quickest so far; it took a little less than a year.
Tressa Kentner, San Bernardino Superior Court CEO “We are ahead of just about every other
big courthouse in the state because of the cooperation and collaboration.”
Bill Vickrey, Administrative Director of the Courts “This project has moved so quickly
because of the efforts of all government leaders to come together to make this work for the
benefit of the public. The court, the city and the county are truly trailblazers in our
statewide construction program. If we could bottle what you have done in this effort together
and share it with the rest of the state, we would have success without question in every
project as we move forward.”
There’ll be 35 courtrooms and 2 hearing rooms, consolidating 9 locations. The 363,000
square foot building will include an 11-story tower with spectacular views for the public
of the nearby mountains. And there’ll be a 3-story entrance podium topped with a drought
resistant green roof that adds to its overall energy efficiency.
Construction will create more than 2,500 jobs directly, and thousands more indirectly. Plus
it’s a welcome development for the center of the city.
Hon. Douglas Elwell, San Bernardino Presiding Judge “The greatest single governmental
infrastructure commitment to downtown San Bernardino in over a half century.”
The Chief Justice says the timing couldn’t be better.
Hon. Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of California “At this time we have the ability,
funds, know-how and cooperation to move forward and undertake this major construction.
And she congratulated the court, the city, the county and the statewide judicial branch
leadership for this accomplishment. Hon. Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of
California “This is the template for success in California. You showed us how it’s done.
You showed us how it should be done in the future, for liberty and justice for all.”
Under the direction of the Office of Court Construction and Management of the Administrative
Office of the Courts, construction of the San Bernardino Justice Center is scheduled
to begin this year. It’ll be paid for mostly from court user fees and fines – not from
the state’s general fund.
Hon. Douglas Elwell, San Bernardino Presiding Judge “This is a great day for the city,
the county, and court for San Bernardino. Thank you for being here. Applause.”
The grand opening is scheduled for late 2013.
I’m Leanne Kozak reporting in San Bernardino for California Courts News.