UKIAH, Calif.—Today, community leaders and residents of Mendocino County will celebrate the topping out of their new $144 million County Courthouse, which broke ground just six months ago. Topping out is a longstanding tradition in the building industry. It also represents far more than the completion of a structure’s steel frame. In this instance, it signals visible progress on the county’s largest civic project to date and brings the long-anticipated facility one step closer to reality.
Raising the Frame
Over the past month, steel fabricated in Idaho has been delivered and set into place with the help of a 265-foot crane, quickly transformed the once-empty site into the recognizable outline of a courthouse. At topping out, the final beam will lock the frame into position, enabling the next phase: installation of roof and floor decking, exterior enclosure, and eventually interior finishes.
“With the structure now taking shape, the community can begin to see the courthouse as it was envisioned—a civic landmark designed to serve Mendocino County for generations. The design-build approach has allowed us to integrate design and construction seamlessly, keeping the project efficient and on track as we transition from steel framing to the next phases of work,” said Project Architect Kahyun Lee of Fentress Studios, a Populous Company.
Project leaders are working quickly to advance exterior construction before Northern California’s rainy season begins, ensuring that interior work can proceed uninterrupted through the winter months.
Teamwork
“Reaching the topping out milestone reflects the dedication of everyone involved—community leaders, designers, builders, and so many others. Through collaboration and the design-build process, we’re keeping the new Mendocino County Courthouse on track and true to its vision,” said John Kudrycki, Principal Project Manager at Fentress Studios.
In fact, this project will be one of the first courthouses in California delivered design-build, a method that unites design and construction under a single team from start to finish. Selected by the Judicial Council of California with project management by Kitchell CEM, the partnership of Hensel Phelps Construction Company with Fentress Studios brings a long track record of successful design-build deliveries including projects at both San Jose and San Francisco International Airports.
A Courthouse for the Future
“Architecture has the power to shape how communities experience civic life. With the new Mendocino County Courthouse, we sought to create more than a place of justice—we aspired to design a building that feels accessible, humane, and connected to community,” said Curtis Fentress, Principal-in-Charge of Design at Fentress Studios.
The new three-story, 82,000-square-foot Mendocino County Courthouse will fully replace Ukiah’s aging 1951 facility. Designed with both function and symbolism in mind, the new courthouse is intended to reflect the values of transparency, dignity, and civic connection. The building’s vertical rhythm of alternating light and dark facade elements draws subtle inspiration from the natural beauty of Mendocino County’s redwood forests, evoking the filtered shafts of light that pierces through foliage or canopy of trees, also called ‘Shivelight.’ This interplay of shadow and illumination isn’t just aesthetic—it creates a calming, contemplative atmosphere within the building.
Inside, the courthouse will offer seven modern courtrooms, ample jury assembly areas, and secure circulation paths that distinctly separate public visitors, court staff, and in-custody individuals. These circulation strategies improve not just safety, but also operational efficiency—key considerations for a high-volume facility designed to serve the county for decades to come. Site constraints, including nearby railroad tracks and flight paths from the Ukiah Municipal Airport, informed the courthouse’s compact footprint and massing, while still allowing for a visually balanced and well-proportioned structure.
The project is also a leap forward in environmental stewardship. Solar-covered parking areas will be paired with efficient mechanical systems and native, drought-tolerant landscaping to reduce resource use and support long-term sustainability. Accessibility is also central to the design, with ADA-compliant entrances, elevators, and generous stairways ensuring that the courthouse is welcoming and navigable for all.
Located along the newly constructed Courthouse Boulevard, the facility will offer 160 public parking spaces, alongside designated areas for staff and sallyport. As landscaping matures, the building will be grounded in its natural context, emphasizing its role not just as a center of justice—but as a symbol of civic trust.
Looking Ahead
Construction is scheduled to continue through 2027, with completion targeted for approximately 24 months from now. When finished, the courthouse will stand as the largest civic investment in Mendocino County’s history, enhancing public service and reinforcing downtown Ukiah’s role as the county’s civic heart.
