MultCo Board approves construction and financing of East County Courthouse

East County Courts, Rockwood
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It's official. East County Courts will be built!

New three-story facility will house courts and county data center

After more than 40-years the East County Courts will be built in Rockwood. Ground breaking on the new court facility will begin before year's end

Unanimous Approval

The Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously October 28, 2010 to approve final plans for construction and financing of a new East County Courthouse in the Rockwood neighborhood of Gresham. Approval to build the facility culminates years of effort to replace the current leased courthouse space in Gresham, which is leaky, cramped and inadequate.

“As a long-time East Multnomah County resident, I am very excited to see this courthouse finally become a reality,” said District 4 Commissioner Diane McKeel. “This project will create new jobs and provide a catalyst for economic growth and development in Rockwood and East County. I would like to acknowledge the partnership, perseverance and support shown throughout this process from my peers on the Board, the courts, law enforcement, East County cities, neighbors and the business community.”

“The new East County Courthouse is a major accomplishment and shows that we can get things done to better serve our community, even in tough times,” said District 3 Commissioner Judy Shiprack. “This facility will provide important services to East County residents without making them travel downtown, while relieving a bit of pressure on the downtown Courthouse as we look at ways to address the challenges it faces.”

Promise Fulfilled

A packed board room praised the board for fulfilling a hope to replace the run-down, cramped Gresham court facility. "This began as a little spark ignited in 1969," said former commissioner Lonnie Roberts, who represented east county for eight years and fought long and hard for the courthouse. "To sit here this morning and realize you are really moving toward a finished proiject is really heartening for me personally, and I know it is for the people of east county."

Third Floor & Data Center Added

The new three-story courthouse will be built on county-owned property at Southeast 185th Avenue and Stark Street (Get Map!) and include three courtrooms, security, the county's data center, office space for the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office, and room for growth. Officials estimate the courthouse will cost $19.6 million to build. Roughly $15 million of the costs will be paid for with Recovery Zone Economic Development (stimulus) Bonds. The remaining portion funded from the 2008 sale of the South Edgefield property.

'Green' Construction

The courthouse will meet LEED Gold Certification standards and the Architecture 2030 Challenge, requiring the building to use green and energy reduction technology such as solar, eco roofs and geothermal ground source heating.

Site Preparation Underway

Deconstruction and recycling of existing buildings on the site is complete (photos below). County leaders and court officials will break ground on the new courthouse in early 2011, with an expected public opening in the spring of 2012.

Background

Multnomah County is required by state statute to provide court facilities in the city of Gresham for violations that occur east of 122nd Avenue. In 2008 alone, an estimated 27,000 defendants went through the courthouse in Gresham, mostly for traffic and other misdemeanor offenses.

Related Photos

Click to enlarge

Site preparation for the new East County Courthouse. October 20, 2010

Former bowling site Future courthouse parking	Former KFC site North courthouse site	Former laundromat site South courthouse site
New courthouse site	New courthouse site	New courthouse site