El Dorado County, New Placerville 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: 6
Square footage: 82,354
Current authorized budget: $91,073,000
Estimated construction costs per square foot are being updated
Current status: Site acquisition; dependent on available funding
Current expected completion date: 2 Q 2017

Historical Documents
Budget Package

The Superior Court of El Dorado County provides services in two facilities within Placerville. The Placerville Main Street Branch was originally built in 1913 and is severely overcrowded. The three-story building houses four courtrooms serving criminal, family law, juvenile delinquency and dependency, and domestic violence caseloads. The court also occupies about 20 percent of the Placerville Building C Branch, located in the county government center. This building contains two courtrooms, one of which must be shared with the County Planning Commission. This facility houses administration, criminal, traffic, and civil divisions.

Both buildings are significantly lacking in security and other features to current standards. The historic courthouse lacks a jury assembly area, so prospective jurors assemble and wait in hallways. Because the building has no holding cells for in-custody defendants, they are held in jury deliberation rooms. Building C has no security screening for one of its courtrooms, lacks separate hallways for in-custody defendants, and has only two single-occupant holding cells which are frequently over capacity. Both buildings have other severe functional and physical deficiencies.

The proposed project would replace these two buildings and consolidate operations in a modern, secure facility to handle all case types. It would include space for administration, clerks, security operations and holding, a jury assembly room, a self-help center, and building support space. The proposed project also includes secure parking for judges as well as 240 spaces for on-site parking for support staff, visitors, and jurors.

A site has not yet been selected for the new courthouse. The project may benefit from a donation of land from El Dorado County. The county site will be evaluated along with other alternatives during the site selection process. (AOC letter to County Board of Supervisors, 10/07/10). The AOC will seek a site large enough to provide room for a future addition to accommodate two additional courtrooms in keeping with the court's projected needs and plans.

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Compliance

Between April 20, 2012, and May 22, 2012, the public was invited to provide comments to the AOC concerning the scope and content of environmental information to be presented in the draft environmental impact report (EIR) for this project. The EIR is a necessary step in this project's compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report

Further environmental work is pending.

Architecture/Engineering Firm	Dreyfuss & Blackford
Construction Manager at Risk	To be selected, schedule TBD
Subcontractor Bidding	Schedule TBD

April 2012 update

What is the impact of the state’s current budget crisis on this project?

The state Budget Act for fiscal year 2011–2012 contained unprecedented cuts to the judicial branch budget in general and to the account that funds SB 1407 projects in particular. Taking account of the state’s continuing fiscal crisis, in April 2012, the Judicial Council approved cost-reduction measures affecting all projects funded by SB 1407. News release.

As a result, this project will be required to undergo a budget reduction of 10 percent or more of hard construction costs. Further reductions beyond the minimum are expected if no compromises to safety, security, building performance, or court operations will result. This project is still in site acquisition and has not yet started architectural design, so this action is not expected to delay the project. Until the state Legislature resolves the budget for the coming fiscal year, any future impact on funding the next phases of this project is unknown. This web page will be updated with any changes.

February 2011

Why do we need a new courthouse?

The Placerville Main Street Branch was originally built in 1913 and is severely overcrowded. The court also occupies about 20 percent of the Placerville Building C Branch, located in the county government center.  Both buildings are significantly lacking in security and other features to current standards. The historic courthouse lacks a jury assembly area, so prospective jurors assemble and wait in hallways. Because the building has no holding cells for in-custody defendants, they are held in jury deliberation rooms.  Building C has no security screening for one of its courtrooms, lacks separate hallways for in-custody defendants, and has only two single-occupant holding cells which are frequently over capacity. Both buildings have other severe functional and physical deficiencies.

Who is the AOC, and why are they managing this project?

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is the staff arm of the Judicial Council of California. The Judicial Council is the policymaking body for the California court system, including the trial courts, known as “Superior Courts,” based in each county. Among other responsibilities, the AOC is responsible for planning, acquisition, design, and construction of court facilities

How is the new courthouse funded?

The courthouse will be funded without impact to the state’s General Fund. The funds will come from statewide increases in court user fees, authorized by Senate Bill 1407, which passed in 2008. This bill approved the issuance of up to $5 billion in lease revenue bonds to fund this project and 40 others throughout the state, to be repaid by court fees, penalties, and assessments.

Why is the county spending money on a new courthouse when there are so many other local needs?

The project is funded and managed by the state and not the County. The courts are a separate branch of government, now independent of the County administrative structure. We share the same building, the County collects court-imposed fees and fines, and we work together in many areas, but we are separate branches of government.

News Releases
Indefinite Delay for Seven Construction Projects (9/10/12)
Potential Site Approved (3/11/11)
Funding Authorization (12/14/09)