San Benito County, Hollister Courthouse

Facts Courtrooms: 3 Square footage: 41,500 Estimated total project cost: $37,378,000 Current status: Construction Expected completion: 3 Q 2013, subject to change Documents Fact Sheet Design Open House Presentation Awards and Recognition American Institute of Architects' Academy of Architecture for Justice: 2011 Citation Award, Justice Facilities Review

Video "San Benito County Plans for a New Courthouse" 3:14 transcript

San Benito County's population of 58,000 accesses judicial services at a single trial court located within a civic center building that is shared with county offices. According to current standards, this building has inadequate security (other than courtroom bailiffs) and is functionally deficient. There is also no room for expansion. This outdated and undersized building is incapable of meeting the region's growing demand for judicial services. Because of its constrained size, the court has had to lease off-site space for family law and mediation services and find other off-site, shared space to process juvenile delinquency cases.

The State of California's fiscal year 2007-2008 Budget Act included initial funding to replace the existing facility with a new courthouse in the City of Hollister.

The new building will be a two-story, 41,500-square-foot structure that includes space for three courtrooms, a jury assembly room, a centrally located public counter for civil and criminal issues, family court services, court administration, security operations, a holding area, and facility support space. The project includes surface parking for jurors and visitors, secured parking for judicial officers, and a secure sally port for transportation of in-custody detainees. The Administrative Office of the Courts has acquired a 3-acre site northwest of the intersection of 4th Street and Monterey Street in Hollister for the new courthouse and associated parking.

Project History
Final CEQA Report
Feasibility Report

Architecture/Engineering Firm	SmithGroup
Construction Manager at Risk	Kitchell Contractors, Inc.
Subcontractor Bidding	See Kitchell website for prequalification information and timeline

What is the location of the existing courthouse?

The existing courthouse is located in downtown Hollister, California, at the corner of Monterey Street and Fifth Street. Although commonly referred to as “the courthouse,” the two-story building is a shared-use facility dividing approximately 21,000 square feet between the Superior Court and the county departments of Assessor, Clerk-Recorder, Marshal and Treasurer-Tax Collector.

Why is a new courthouse needed?

Although considered modern when constructed in 1962, the existing courthouse does not meet current standards for judicial services. By current standards, the existing courthouse has several design flaws that pose significant security risks for the public, court staff, and justice partners as well as severely limit the Superior Court’s ability to provide access to or expand judicial services. In 2006, the Judicial Council of California adopted a statewide Trial Court Capital Outlay plan that ranked San Benito County in “immediate need” of a new courthouse

Has a new courthouse been approved for San Benito County?

Yes. The Judicial Council of California’s request for funding for a new courthouse in San Benito County was approved by the State of California in fiscal year 2007-2008. The state legislature approved allocations from the State Court Facilities Construction Fund in staggered phases that are generally aligned with the construction process. Thus far, the California Department of Finance has released funds for site selection and acquisition, and preliminary design plans.

What is the location of the new courthouse?

The new courthouse will be located in downtown Hollister, one block north of the existing courthouse on a parcel of approximately 3.1 acres. The property is bounded by Fourth, West, Third and Monterey Streets. This parcel was made available via the generous assistance of the Hollister Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors and the San Benito County Board of Supervisors.

Who will manage the new courthouse project?

The project will be managed by the Administrative Office of the Courts on behalf of the Judicial Council of California.

Will the local community have input regarding the new courthouse project?

Yes. An advisory group of local officials has been formed to work with the Administrative Office of the Courts for the duration of the project. Known as the Project Advisory Group, the following members reflect relevant positions of authority and expertise as well as key governmental avenues representative of their community constituencies:

• Steven R. Sanders, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court
• Harry J. Tobias, Judge of the Superior Court
• Gil Solorio, Court Executive Officer
• Reb Monaco, San Benito County Board of Supervisors
• Pat Loe, San Benito County Board of Supervisors
• Susan Thompson, San Benito County Administrative Officer
• Doug Emerson, Hollister City Council
• Clint Quilter, Hollister City Manager
• Priscilla Hill, San Juan Bautista City Council

What are the Administrative Office of the Court’s policies with regard to local hiring and purchasing (during design and construction)? How will members of the public find out about those opportunities?

The state is soliciting for a Construction Manager at Risk for the project. The construction manager will provide preconstruction services and will then bid the subcontractors, as the fee will be set competitively in the selection process. Local subcontractors are welcome to bid, and the Administrative Office of the Courts will work with the court and community to solicit interest and facilitate communication with the construction manager.

Will the project hire local contractors and use local suppliers?

The construction manager selected for this project will accept qualified bids for subcontracting work from companies located in the vicinity. In the guidelines for energy efficiency, there is credit for purchasing material within a 500 mile radius of the site.

Will the new courthouse have public parking on the site?

Yes. The current estimate is that the new courthouse will have approximately 100 parking slots available on the site. In addition to parking availability on the site, the City of Hollister’s parking garage, with a capacity of approximately 140 vehicles is located half a city block from the site.

How many courtrooms will be in the new courthouse?

The new courthouse will have three courtrooms as well as a jury assembly room that can also function as a hearing room. If caseload numbers warrant expansion in the future, the jury assembly room could be converted into a courtroom.

Will the new building be energy efficient?

Yes, and more; the building will be designed using a guideline produced by the United States Green Building Council called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). This guideline is a tool for evaluating the design of the building’s mechanical, electrical, and other systems to make it the most efficient possible. It also considers healthy interior environments for occupants of the building; such as air quality, thermal comfort, natural light, and reduced glare.

Will native plants be used in landscaping?

Yes, especially drought-tolerant species to conserve water. The LEED guidelines for sustainable design also require the use of native plants, especially those that require no irrigation.

Will the new courthouse project be delayed due to the State of California’s financial problems?

Start of construction has been delayed because the State Treasurer's Office postponed sale of the lease-revenue bonds that fund construction. We expect the bond sale to proceed in fall 2011, after which the project will begin construction.

Will the new courthouse provide space for the county departments of Assessor, Clerk-Recorder, Marshal and Treasurer-Tax Collector as well as the Superior Court?

The Superior Court will be the sole occupant of the new courthouse. The County of San Benito and the Superior Court are separate and distinct agencies with different governance and funding processes. As the Assessor, Clerk-Recorder, Marshal and Treasurer-Tax Collector are county departments, their offices will remain in the existing building.

When will the new courthouse be completed and operational?

The current project timeline estimates that the new courthouse will be open for public service in the fall of 2013.

What will happen to the space vacated by the Superior Court in the existing courthouse?

Once the Superior Court occupies the new courthouse, the county will determine how the vacated court space is utilized. 

News Releases
Groundbreaking Ceremony February 28, 2011 (2/22/11)
Construction Opportunity Extended as Project Nears Construction (12/17/10)
Informational Meeting for Subcontractors and Suppliers on March 19 (3/08/10)
Courthouse Design Receives Approval (2/18/10)
Construction Manager at Risk Selected (9/18/09)
Short List Named for Construction (8/31/09)
Residents Invited to View Design Concepts (6/19/09)
Public Meeting and Invitation to Comment on Proposed New Courthouse (4/03/09)