The state Monday announced that construction will start this week on a new $33.6 million county courthouse.
The Administrative Office of the Courts made the announcement that work will begin on the 3.1-acre site at Fourth and Monterey streets in downtown Hollister.
A statement from the state reads: “The start of construction is a visual reminder of all of the previous efforts of so many people leading up to the construction of a new courthouse in San Benito County,” said Judge Steven R. Sanders. “The beginning of the construction phase also serves to maintain our expectations that we may better serve our community in these new facilities.”
The project has been in development since 2007 for a 41,500 square-foot San Benito County Courthouse. Its completion is expected in the fall of 2013.
The state announcement noted that construction had to wait until the State Treasurer’s Office finished a bond sale last fall, with $33.6 million in proceeds allocated.
The state had to re-bid the project due to the delay, while it pointed out that it will be repaid through court fees and penalties and won’t affect the ailing general fund.
The project is expected to add 175 to 200 construction jobs over the next two years, including 49 subcontracting firms working with the general contractor, Kitchell Contractors.
The 41,500-square-foot structure will include 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 also will include surface parking for jurors and visitors, secured parking for judicial officers, and a secure sally port for transportation of in-custody detainees.
For more information go to www.courts.ca.gov/facilities-sanbenito.htm.
