FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno could get a brand new $750 million dollar courthouse downtown, under a plan proposed by the Judicial Council of California.
Project leaders outlined the plan Thursday night during a public “New Courthouse Workshop,” at the Fresno Courthouse Jury Assembly Room. They describe the current Fresno County Superior Court building as outdated, and no longer meeting modern safety, seismic or accessibility standards.
The project would be built at the intersection of M Street and Fresno Street within Courthouse Park. Project leaders say the existing courthouse will remain in use, and will not be demolished.
However, several connected buildings, including the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office headquarters and the annex jail, would be torn down by the county before construction begins.
When asked if the sheriff’s building will be relocated somewhere else, Tim Murchison, Project Manager with the Judicial Court of California said,
“I have heard that the county is doing that. I’m not aware of their process for it.”
Proposed $750M Fresno courthouse could force sheriff’s office relocation downtown
If approved, the project would bring an 11 story courthouse to downtown Fresno and is expected to generate new jobs during construction. Project leaders say the work would be done under prevailing wage requirements, creating opportunities for local workers.
There will be lots of opportunities for locals in all different genres of trades and management of the project at different levels
said Murchison.
Whether those jobs ultimately go to local workers, Murchison says, will depend on the general contractor, which has not yet been selected.
One element expected to stay in place is the underground tunnel that connects the courthouse to nearby facilities. Officials said the intent is for that tunnel to link directly to the new courthouse. The current courthouse was built in the mid 1960s, and court officials say its design does not for today’s court system.
Court leaders emphasized that public input will play a big role as the project moves forward.
This is the community’s property, and we need their input, and we need to make sure it functions for the county and the city
explained Murchison.
The proposed courthouse would add 36 courtrooms and consolidate court operations that’s currently spread across multiple buildings.
Before construction can officially begin, the project must complete an environmental review. Officials said they hope to finish that process by next summer.
If approved, the goal is to open the new courthouse by November of 2031.