Stanislaus County, New Modesto Courthouse

NOTICE: This project is proceeding with site acquisition, but architectural design is delayed until fiscal year 2014–2015, unless construction funds are restored in the coming fiscal year’s Budget Act. More information on the Judicial Council’s February 26, 2013 decision.

Facts
In anticipation of additional cost-cutting measures, all facts are subject to change. More information

Courtrooms: 26
Square footage: 301,353
Current authorized budget: $277,164,000
Estimated construction costs per square foot are being updated
Current status: Site acquisition; dependent on available funding
Current expected completion: TBD

Historical Documents
Project Feasibility Report

The Superior Court of Stanislaus County provides services to county residents at the Modesto Courthouse and Hall of Records and from several leased facilities in downtown Modesto, as well as two single-courtroom facilities in outlying towns—Ceres and Turlock. All of these facilities have numerous deficiencies. They are overcrowded, lack security features to current standards, and hinder the court's efficiency by dispersing services over many locations.

The proposed project would create a full-service courthouse in Modesto to replace seven court facilities - five in Modesto and the two outlying courthouses. Consolidating these facilities will enable the court to increase efficiency by retiring leases and centralizing operations. The project would improve security by providing enhanced entrance screening, separate hallways for the public, staff, and in-custody defendants, and properly sized holding areas for in-custody defendants.

The project would include space for four new judgeships and would enable the court to provide basic services currently not possible due to space restrictions, such as a self-help center; appropriately sized public lobby and service counters; a properly sized and equipped jury assembly room and jury deliberation rooms, and rooms for family court mediation and attorney/client interviews, as well as a children's waiting room.

A site has not been selected for the new courthouse. To meet the planned building and parking requirements, a site of approximately 2.9 acres will be needed.

Architecture/Engineering Firm	Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP
Construction Manager at Risk	To be selected, schedule TBD
Subcontractor Bidding	Schedule TBD

News Releases
Further Cuts to Court Construction (7/13/12)
Second Potential Site Approved (2/10/12)
First of Two Potential Sites Approved (12/9/11)
Architect Selected (1/31/11)
Project Advisory Group Named (11/15/10)
Funding Authorization (7/12/10)