Editorial: Railyard would be best spot for new courthouse
Published: Tuesday, Mar. 22, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 12A
Here's some good news: A landmark building will soon rise in Sacramento's central city.
Unlike many project proposals since the economic downturn, this one has money behind it. The Legislature granted bond authority in 2008 for a much-needed 12- to 16- story county courthouse. The existing six-story 1965 courthouse between Eighth and Ninth, G and H streets has been overcrowded for years. Construction is expected to begin by March 2013 and be finished by March 2015.
The vexing question is: Where should the new courthouse go?
Choosing the right site is crucial, but the city itself has no role in the final decision, which is made by the administrative director of the courts after a recommendation from a six-person advisory group.
That advisory group – two county judges, one court executive officer, one county executive, a representative of the Administrative Office of the Courts and a representative of the city of Sacramento (Assistant City Manager John Dangberg) – has been evaluating two sites. It could make its recommendation any day.
One site clearly is superior, and the public should get behind it – Lot 41 Railyard.
Located between Fifth and Sixth streets, just north of H, on the edge of the downtown railyard project, that site currently is partly a city of Sacramento parking lot and partly vacant land. It is close to existing courts, to key partners (such as the district attorney, public defender, Police and Sheriff's departments, probation office and main jail), to Amtrak, light rail and bus service.
From the city's perspective, this site has another important feature. It would jump-start the first vertical building in the railyard – quickly adding to ongoing constructions of roads and bridges.
The other site – 301 Capitol Mall – is adequate for court purposes but has major downsides for the city.
This was the site of John Saca's aborted dream of condos, shopping, restaurants and hotel. The land was bought by CalPERS. A daytime-only courthouse that for security reasons cannot have ground floor retail services would create a dead zone, not a much-needed "gateway to downtown" on Capitol Mall.
The Administrative Office of the Courts is on an aggressive timeline to acquire a site by July. The public needs to get behind the railyard site now, before the chance slips away.
Add your voice
The public may send comments on the proposed sites for a new Sacramento Criminal Courthouse to Laura Sainz, Office of Court Construction Management: laura.sainz@jud.ca.gov
Unlike many project proposals since the economic downturn, this one has money behind it. The Legislature granted bond authority in 2008 for a much-needed 12- to 16- story county courthouse. The existing six-story 1965 courthouse between Eighth and Ninth, G and H streets has been overcrowded for years. Construction is expected to begin by March 2013 and be finished by March 2015.
The vexing question is: Where should the new courthouse go?
Choosing the right site is crucial, but the city itself has no role in the final decision, which is made by the administrative director of the courts after a recommendation from a six-person advisory group.
That advisory group – two county judges, one court executive officer, one county executive, a representative of the Administrative Office of the Courts and a representative of the city of Sacramento (Assistant City Manager John Dangberg) – has been evaluating two sites. It could make its recommendation any day.
One site clearly is superior, and the public should get behind it – Lot 41 Railyard.
Located between Fifth and Sixth streets, just north of H, on the edge of the downtown railyard project, that site currently is partly a city of Sacramento parking lot and partly vacant land. It is close to existing courts, to key partners (such as the district attorney, public defender, Police and Sheriff's departments, probation office and main jail), to Amtrak, light rail and bus service.
From the city's perspective, this site has another important feature. It would jump-start the first vertical building in the railyard – quickly adding to ongoing constructions of roads and bridges.
The other site – 301 Capitol Mall – is adequate for court purposes but has major downsides for the city.
This was the site of John Saca's aborted dream of condos, shopping, restaurants and hotel. The land was bought by CalPERS. A daytime-only courthouse that for security reasons cannot have ground floor retail services would create a dead zone, not a much-needed "gateway to downtown" on Capitol Mall.
The Administrative Office of the Courts is on an aggressive timeline to acquire a site by July. The public needs to get behind the railyard site now, before the chance slips away.
Add your voice
The public may send comments on the proposed sites for a new Sacramento Criminal Courthouse to Laura Sainz, Office of Court Construction Management: laura.sainz@jud.ca.gov
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