Hollister
– San Benito County is one step closer to securing state funds
to build a new courthouse.
Hollister – San Benito County is one step closer to securing state funds to build a new courthouse.
Under the governor’s revised May budget, the county would receive a minimum of $540,000 in funds for the initial phase of a new superior court facility. Court Executive Officer Gil Solorio said the funds would pay to assemble a team to advise the state on the design and placement of a new superior courthouse.
“I don’t know if it is the first order of business, but it will definitely be in the first phase,” Solorio said of assembling the team.
The advisory team would be made up of community members and local government officials, but will not be assembled until the funds first phase are secured, Solorio said.
The deadline for the legislature to finalize the 2007-2008 state budget is July 1.
Solorio said the courthouse would be built in four phases, with funding for each phase requiring state approval. The project is expected to take four years to complete, Solorio said.
Many have said the current courthouse, built in 1962 and located on Fifth Street in Hollister, is outdated.
Solorio said the project has been a collaboration of multiple government agencies.
While the state will ultimately decide where the courthouse is built, the City of Hollister and San Benito County governments have provided two options.
The Hollister Redevelopment Agency has pledged land at the old Fremont School on Fourth Street as one possible location for the new courthouse.
Proponents of the Fremont School location have argued that the downtown location is more accessible.
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors has offered county-owned land surrounding the County Jail and Juvenile Hall on Flynn Road.
Those who favor the county land have argued that a courthouse near the jail would cut transportation costs and be more secure.
The final cost for a new courthouse is projected at $32 million, Solorio said.
A new about 36,000 square-foot courthouse would likely include three courtrooms, several conference rooms, new security features and a self-help justice center, Solorio said.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected].
