Agenda - 08-23-1994-IX-B - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. 8 ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: August 23, 1994 SUBJECT: STATUS OF COURTROOM ADDITION DEPARTMENT: PURCHASING AND CENTRAL SERVICES PUBLIC HEARING:YES: NO: X ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: PAM JONES, ext. 2650 Telephone Number- Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 967-9251 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 PURPOSE: To consider options for construction of the addition to the New Courthouse. BACKGROUND: Since the Board appropriated the additional funds through the 1994-1999 Capital Improvements Program for the Courthouse Addition Project, extensive discussions have occurred between the Superior and District Court Judges, project architect and County staff. The Judges had agreed that it was most appropriate that any new space built should be for the Superior Court. From a functional perspective the rationale was as follows: District Court is currently experiencing an explosion in the number of cases handled. Dockets that exceed 200 cases are frequent. The July 18 docket reached almost 600 cases. Although this is not a common occurrence, it suggests what is possible for the future. The funds currently available ($311,000) would build a courtroom to allow public seating of around 260 people. Although the Court is considering carrying out some efficiency measures that may reduce the numbers of people attending Court, the Court personnel agree that a courtroom of this size would address the need for only a short time. Since a District Courtroom would be built without jury facilities, its use by any Court other than District Court would be severely limited. On the other hand, Superior Court historically requires accommodation for fewer members of the public. Therefore, if a new courtroom could be constructed to meet Superior Court needs, the existing Superior Courtroom (capacity approx. 350) could be reassigned to meet the District Court needs. Following this line of thinking, program discussions were held with the Superior Court Judge. The stated program needs for the Courtroom were as follows: 1. The Courtroom should have a seating capacity of no fewer than 125 persons; 2. The arena area should be of sufficient size to accommodate multiple defendants when necessary;