Plumas County, New Quincy Courthouse

NOTICE: Based on the Judicial Council's October 26, 2012 decision, this project is indefinitely delayed.

California’s fiscal crisis and unprecedented cuts to the judicial branch budget required that 24 court construction projects be scaled back in scope and cost before proceeding, while 7 other courthouse projects will be delayed indefinitely until funding is restored.

Facts
In anticipation of additional cost-cutting measures, all facts are subject to change. More information

Courtrooms: 3
Square footage: 29,089
Current authorized budget: $34,669,000
Estimated construction costs per square foot are being updated
Current status: Indefinitely delayed
Current expected completion: TBD

Historical Documents
Feasibility Report

The Superior Court of Plumas County operates several facilities, with its main location the Quincy Courthouse. The court occupies a little over a quarter of this four-story historic building that dominates the town's Main Street. The County owns the building, and County offices occupy the rest of the space. The courthouse, built in 1920, is overcrowded and does not meet modern operational and security requirements, and court space cannot be renovated or expanded.

The building lacks holding cells and secure, separate hallways for movement of in-custody defendants. There is no jury assembly room, so juries assemble in one of the three courtrooms. The courthouse lacks attorney-client meeting rooms, so attorneys confer with clients, victims, and witnesses in public waiting areas. The building lacks smoke detectors and sprinklers and is not compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The proposed new Quincy Courthouse would replace this facility with a modern, secure, adequately sized courthouse. Security improvements would include a secure public lobby, separate hallways for the public, staff, and in-custody defendants, in-custody holding, and secured parking for judges. The proposed project would also give the court much-needed space to provide basic services currently unavailable to court users, including a self-help center; adequately sized public-service counters, a jury assembly room, attorney-client meeting rooms, and a children's waiting room. The proposed project also includes 135 parking spaces for staff, visitors, and jurors.

A site has not been selected for the new courthouse. Once the new courthouse is completed, the court will vacate its space in the county-owned historic courthouse.

Architecture/Engineering Firm	RossDrulisCusenbery Architecture, Inc.
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 significant reduction in its hard construction budget. This project has been designated a cost-reduction demonstration project, which means it will use lower-cost construction methods, such as tilt-up construction. This web page will be updated with a revised budget and schedule once approved by the judicial branch as well as the state executive and legislative branches.

November 2011

Who owns the courthouse in Quincy?

The building is owned by the County of Plumas, and the County occupies a majority of the space. The Superior Court occupies about a quarter of the building.
The Trial Court Facilities Act of 2002 made the state responsible for court facilities statewide. Under the transfer agreement executed between Plumas County and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), the County holds title to the Quincy Courthouse, and the AOC has responsibility for the space occupied by the Court.

What is the AOC?

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 primarily responsible for planning, acquisition, design, and construction of court facilities.

Why is a new courthouse needed?

The current building, constructed in 1921, is a significant town landmark, but no longer functions well as the main courthouse for the Superior Court. The Court’s space in the building is overcrowded and does not meet modern operational and security requirements, and the space cannot be renovated or expanded. The court occupies a little over 7,000 square feet in the building, while a state study that applied current design standards indicated a need for nearly four times that amount of space.

For example, there is no jury assembly room, so jurors must often stand or utilize limited seating in the public halls until a courtroom is available. There is no room for a self-help center. The building lacks holding cells and secure, separate hallways for movement of in-custody defendants. The courthouse also lacks attorney-client meeting rooms, so attorneys confer with clients, victims, and witnesses in public waiting areas. The building lacks smoke detectors and sprinklers and is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Who decides where the new courthouse will be located?

In deciding where to locate the new courthouse, the AOC will work closely with the Superior Court and with a Project Advisory Group, which will include a few community leaders who represent the business community, the legal community, the Sheriff, and local government (County/City). The AOC follows a standard site selection policy and process. The process involves objectively evaluating all potential sites and selecting at least two sites that meet agreed-upon criteria for the proposed new courthouse in providing access to justice for the Quincy area, within the confines of the project’s budget and schedule.

The AOC and the Court will identify site selection criteria of greatest relevance and importance to the Court. The AOC will identify possible sites that meet the criteria; a local real estate broker has already been engaged to assist with this process. Then all site alternatives will be ranked against the criteria. The Presiding Judge will sign off on the site selection criteria and the preferred and alternate sites. The site selection must also be approved by the state Public Works Board. Site selection and acquisition typically take a year or more.

How many courtrooms will be in the new courthouse?

The proposed courthouse will include three courtrooms in 38,280 square feet.

Why is the County spending money on a new courthouse when there are so many other local needs and there is a state budget crisis?

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. The new courthouse will also be funded without reliance on the state’s General Fund.

How is the new courthouse being funded?

The courthouse will be funded 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.

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. These cuts are expected to cause delays in certain projects. However, the specific impact on this project won’t be known for several months. In the meantime, the project is proceeding in its current phase.  This project web page will be updated with any changes as they are determined.

Will the local community have input regarding the courthouse project?

The Project Advisory Group will be the main source of ongoing community input to the project, but we understand that the public will have questions about it as well. The AOC will provide accurate and timely information throughout site selection, design, and construction: Updates will be posted to the California Courts Website, and media advisories will be distributed at key milestones. A public meeting on environmental issues will be held, and other public outreach will be conducted as needed.

Will the new courthouse provide space for any county departments?

The state funding for the new courthouse cannot be used on county facilities.

Will a new jail be located close to the new courthouse?

As the site selection process proceeds, the AOC and the Court may be able to identify and prioritize sites where adjacent space for a future jail may be possible, along with other important criteria. However, a new jail would be the county’s responsibility.

Will the project hire local contractors and use local suppliers?

When the project is in architectural design, the state will select a construction manager (currently scheduled for 2012). The construction manager will perform local outreach to ensure that qualified local subcontractors and suppliers have the opportunity to bid on construction work when that phase nears. Construction is scheduled for fall 2013 through summer 2015.

Will the new courthouse be energy efficient?

Yes. All courthouse projects to be funded by SB 1407 are being designed to receive LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. This is a national standard for sustainable design, and energy efficiency is among its key criteria.

What will happen to the current courthouse when the new courthouse is completed?

The county owns the building, and any future use of the building will be determined by the County. The use of the historic courtroom on the third floor of the current courthouse may be negotiated between the Court and County.

News Releases

Community Meeting Nov 1
Community Meeting April 26 (4/7/11)
Architect Selected (1/31/11)
Project Advisory Group Named (10/27/10)
Funding Authorization (4/12/10)