Расширение здания суда Моррис-Кантри завершится в 2028 году

Eight-story, $85M Morris County court expansion 'on track' for 2028 MORRISTOWN – Seven months after breaking ground, an eight-story elevator shaft erected on the construction site of a Morris County court complex expansion illustrates the scope of the $85 million project. Chris Vitz, the county's engineer and director of public works, said that the expansion project, which will add eight courtrooms, space for judges and jurors, office space and more, is "on track for an early 2028 completion." "The center elevator shaft has been completed," Vitz said. "The third-floor slabs have all been poured and the second-floor concrete work is done. The contractor anticipates completing the building's concrete frame prior to the end of this year, with the outer wall panel installation following directly afterward." The expansion, which will finish with a brick-and-glass exterior, is located on the west side of the Morris County Administration and Records Building. That building is connected by a flyway over Court Street on its east side to the historic Morris County Courthouse. The courthouse, which is still in use, was built in 1827 and augmented three times before 1900, according to Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz, one of many officials who have cited a dire need for renovations over the years. More room was added next to the original courthouse between 1931 and 1989, officials said, but that space is "no longer suitable to continue most court operations," according to the county. New Jersey counties are required to provide court facilities. Compelled by the state to review the court complex, Morris County officials commissioned a needs assessment in 2017. The assessment identified "a significant shortfall in criminal, family and civil court facilities," according to a Morris County Board of Commissioners statement in 2018. The survey also detailed the outdated conditions in the existing court complex, including the original courthouse. History preserved That 199-year-old building, which underwent extensive refurbishing and roof replacements in 2024, will continue to be preserved, county officials said. The growth of the county court system and government offices has pushed the complex beyond its capacity, speakers at a 2019 commissioner meeting said. At the time of the last courtroom expansion in 1974, 10 judges presided over county matters, including 6,081 court filings. By 2018, 19 judges, three retired judges on recall and a Tax Court judge all worked in the complex, handling almost 26,000 filings. "And we continue to grow," Minkowitz said at the time. The current justice complex has 21 courtrooms, but many are undersized and "out of alignment" with New Jersey court system guidelines, county officials stated. Insufficient space for juries, conference areas and judicial chambers are among the primary deficiencies, according to state guidelines. Ultimately, the commissioner board moved forward with the current project, budgeted at $85 million in its 2023 capital spending plan. Wayne-based Dobco Inc. was awarded the lead contractor role with a $77.3 million bid. "We are very pleased with the progress being made on the new courthouse and that the project remains on track for completion in early 2028," said Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw. "Our Department of Public Works has done an outstanding job overseeing this complex project, and we appreciate the contractors and their crews for keeping the work moving forward and meeting important construction milestones. Their efforts are bringing us closer to a safe, secure and accessible courthouse that will serve Morris County for decades to come." Adding 117,000 square feet The new 117,000-square-foot building will include jury assembly areas as well as chambers for the judges. The building will also meet modern accessibility standards. In the current complex, "access for people with disabilities and safety systems are inadequate," the county has said. The main entrance to the new courthouse complex and administration building will be relocated to face the corner of Washington Street and Schuyler Place. A portion of the public pocket park at that corner was lost to the new building. The park will not be accessible during construction, "but more than 60% of the space will be restored as a greenway when the project is completed," officials said. Morristown and county officials say they are working to minimize the disruption along Schuyler Place during construction, "but inconveniences are inevitable." The road, which cuts between the courthouse complex buildings, may be closed intermittently to traffic. Vitz said last week that utility work is ongoing, with a connection to JCP&L being planned that will impact traffic on Ann Street for a day or two, once the work is scheduled. Public advisories will be issued when the time comes. This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Eight-story, $85M Morris County court expansion 'on track' for 2028