ORANGEBURG, S.C.— Orangeburg County leaders and judicial officials have officially broken ground on a long-awaited $60 million courthouse project. The ceremonial event marks the beginning of a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at replacing the county’s aging and severely strained judicial facility.
The new facility will be constructed on a five-acre plot along Russell Street, adjacent to the former Winn-Dixie and Dairy-O restaurant. Monteith Construction Corp. is leading the build in coordination with design and management partners SSOE Group. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with the buildout expected to take roughly two years to complete.
Spanning approximately 112,000 square feet across three stories, the modern complex is designed to solve critical operational, structural, and safety issues that have long plagued the legacy courthouse. Local officials noted that the current facility suffers from space shortages, a leaking roof membrane, outdated technology, and narrow hallways where inmates, court staff, victims, and the public frequently cross paths. The new judicial complex will feature separate, secured corridors for detainee transport, multiple expanded courtrooms, and consolidated space to bring ancillary offices—such as the magistrate’s court—under one roof. The property will also feature around 300 public parking spaces, secure staff parking, and electric vehicle charging stations.
County officials emphasized that the $60 million price tag will not require a tax increase for residents. Funding for the project is being secured through a combination of installment purchase revenue bonds, capital project sales tax revenues, and existing capital funds.
The historic existing courthouse will not be demolished. Once judicial operations transition to the new Russell Street complex, the original building will remain in county hands to host long-term record storage and minor administrative offices.
