Background
The former Madera Courthouse was undersized, in poor condition, and in need of replacement. The county had attempted to mitigate the overcrowding problem by installing several modular buildings at the courthouse site. However, overcrowding still persisted and the county was not able to provide the needed space for the court to operate efficiently. Other significant issues were operational, security, health and safety, and accessibility problems.
The 10-courtroom New Madera Courthouse replaced and consolidated the Madera Courthouse and the Family Court Services Division leased facility functions. In June 2009, the state Public Works Board approved an acquisition agreement between the Judicial Council and the City of Madera Redevelopment Agency for the preferred site in downtown Madera, on West 6th Street across from Courthouse Park. Site acquisition was completed in spring 2011, and construction began August 6, 2012.
CEQA
Judicial Council staff complied with CEQA by filing a categorical exemption for this project's preferred site on October 2, 2008.
