Sacramento County, New Sacramento Criminal Courthouse

NOTICE: Based on the Judicial Council’s January 17, 2013 decision, this project is proceeding with site acquisition, but then will be indefinitely delayed, pending enactment of the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Budget Act. 

Facts In anticipation of additional cost-cutting measures, all facts are subject to change. More information
Courtrooms: 44 Square footage: 403,496 Current authorized budget: $451,959,000 Estimated construction costs per square foot are being updated Current status: Indefinitely delayed Current expected completion: TBD Historical Documents Feasibility Report	Sacramento Announces New Courthouse Transcript

The Superior Court of California, Sacramento County provides services from seven different court locations within downtown Sacramento. The main facility is the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse, constructed in 1965. Originally designed with only 22 courtrooms, this courthouse has 44 courtrooms for criminal, civil, probate, and small claims cases. This facility is very overcrowded and lacks many significant features required for it to function safely as a criminal courthouse.

This proposed project would provide a new 44-courtroom criminal courthouse, replacing 35 courtrooms of the Schaber Courthouse and providing for nine new judgeships. The project would consolidate most of the court's criminal operations and centralize court functions from other downtown leased facilities, including court administrative functions, court reporters, legal research staff, and the settlement conference and law and motion functions.

The project, which includes a minor renovation of the Schaber Courthouse, will enable the court to consolidate from seven to three locations, terminate four leases, and relocate a technology support unit from a county office building. After the new courthouse is completed, all civil functions will be consolidated into the Schaber Courthouse. This project will greatly improve access to justice as well as operational efficiency in both buildings.

Indefinite Delay

In January 2013, due to the state's fiscal crisis and continuing cuts and redirections in court construction funds, the Judicial Council decided to delay this project indefinitely after the site acquisition is completed, pending resolution of the state budget for fiscal year 2013-2014. More information

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Compliance

The AOC is the lead agency for preparation of an environmental report to comply with CEQA.

Background

April 8, 2011, to May 24, 2011: Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) circulated. The draft EIR evaluated the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project and recommended mitigation measures.

May 4, 2011: Public meeting held.

In response to public comments, the AOC completed a Final EIR.

On July 21, 2011, the AOC filed a Notice of Determination, thereby completing the CEQA process.

Architecture/Engineering Firm	Nacht & Lewis/HOK
Construction Manager at Risk	To be selected, schedule TBD
Subcontractor Bidding	Schedule TBD

News Releases
Preferred Site Announced: Railyards (4/12/11)
Two Sites Approved (10/22/10)
Revised Plan Authorized (6/14/10)
Architect Selected (10/15/09)