SANTA ROSA, Calif.—The new courthouse project in Sonoma County, which began construction in 2021—and officially known as the Sonoma County New Hall of Justice—is reportedly set to be completed this August.
The new facility is set on the Sonoma County Administration Center campus in Santa Rosa, just east of the existing Hall of Justice; the location is on the cleared site where the Old Jail facility was once located.
The new facility will replace the existing, overcrowded, and outdated court-occupied space in the Sonoma County Hall of Justice and the attached Main Adult Detention Facility (MADF).
A key goal is to consolidate varied court operations and services into a single, modern, and secure facility. This includes: Criminal proceedings; Traffic proceedings; Juvenile dependency proceedings; Family court proceedings; Family court mediation services; Probate investigative services; and Enhanced drug court support.
The new Hall of Justice will boast features and services that were previously limited because of space limitations in the older buildings, such as: Appropriately sized jury assembly and deliberation rooms; Adequately sized in-custody holding areas; Attorney interview/witness waiting rooms; A children’s waiting room; and Security entrance screening for all visitors.
The new building will stand six stories above ground plus a basement level and comprise approximately 167,147 gross square feet and house 15 courtrooms. The project includes surface parking for 450 cars plus an additional 20 enclosed secure parking spaces.
The construction contract amount is reported to be around $152 million.
Contractors and Architects:
Owner: Judicial Council of California
Construction Management Agency: AECOM
General Contractor: Rudolph and Sletten, Inc.
Architect: STUDIOpractice
Sonoma County is additionally constructing a separate Secure Inmate Transfer Connector to link the Main Adult Detention Facility to the basement of the new courthouse. This $9 million project will ease the transfer of inmates and lower operational costs associated with vehicle transport. The connector will include a bridge, elevator/stair tower and an underground passage tunnel.
Benefits of the New Hall of Justice include:
- Upgraded Efficiency: Consolidating court operations will lead to better workflow and reduced administrative burdens.
- Improved Security: A modern facility will incorporate up-to-date security measures for the safety of the public, staff, and judiciary.
- Enhanced Accessibility: The new building will address existing accessibility deficiencies, ensuring equal access for all.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Properly sized courtrooms, jury rooms, and other support spaces will improve the judicial process.
- Operational Savings: Long-term operational savings are expected through the consolidation of services and more efficient building systems.
The Sonoma County New Hall of Justice is a significant project with the goal of modernizing and consolidating the county’s court facilities, addressing long-standing issues with the existing Hall of Justice, and furnishing a safer, more efficient, and accessible environment for the administration of justice.
