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Courts

The Commonwealth’s judiciary operates over 100 active court facilities, with approximately 5.5 M gross square feet of space, in 60 communities across the Commonwealth.  A majority of these facilities are state-owned and operated, but many are a combination of county and privately-leased facilities.  Capital spending and leasing for judiciary projects is administered through DCAMM, in collaboration with the Trial Court administration.

The following graph reflects the Administration’s estimated capital investment in court capital projects over the next five years, as compared to fiscal years 2007 and 2013 courts related spending.  Once the Trial Court finishes their strategic plan, the Administration plans to increase funding for court projects over five years.

Administration Accomplishments to Date

• The Trial Court leadership completed a strategic plan in June 2013.  This plan sets out a vision through 2025 and includes a three-year tactical plan centered on consolidated comprehensive justice centers and improvements to accessibility, energy efficiency and building conditions throughout the system.  This vision and the recommendations of the tactical implementation teams will inform strategic capital investment planning for the Trial Court to address the outstanding infrastructure and deferred maintenance needs of the system.
• Energy projects have been completed at 17 courthouses in Suffolk, Middlesex, Bristol, and Plymouth Counties, investing $7 M in efficiency upgrades estimated to result in over $500 K in annual savings. 
• Since 2007, multiple new state-of-the-art multi-departmental court facilities have been completed and opened, representing a total of 64 courtrooms, 1.1 M square feet and over $500 M of capital investment in new or renovated space. Completed projects include:
  • A new Worcester Trial Court on Main Street in downtown Worcester for a total project cost of $180 M;
  • The Plymouth Trial Court, a state-of-the-art facility containing Superior, District, Juvenile, Housing and Probate & Family court departments, with a total project cost of $71 M;
  • The new Fall River Trial Court which provides space for the Bristol County Superior Court criminal sessions and Fall River District Court, with a total project cost of $85 M;
  • The new Taunton Trial Court which contains eight courtrooms serving the District Court, Juvenile Court, Housing Court, and Probate & Family Court, with a total project cost of $147 M; and
  • The Salem Trial Court, which consists of a new judicial facility that houses 11 court rooms with a large jury pool room, 12 detainee cells in the lower level, the District Attorney’s offices, security officers and judges, for a total project cost of $106 M.

FY14 Highlights

• Design of the new Lowell Trial Court will begin in FY14.  This facility would replace two separate, overcrowded and outdated facilities as well as one leased space.
• Funding in this plan will provide for the temporary relocation of detainees at the Middlesex Sheriff facility located in the Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse in Cambridge to the Middlesex Sheriff’s facility in Billerica.  This relocation will allow for a comprehensive private redevelopment of the property, establishing a mixed use office and residential complex.  Due to the scope of this project, it is included as an FY14 highlight in both the Corrections and Courts section. 
• Construction will begin on the Greenfield Trial Court facility, which will house all five trial court department operations, a law library and the Registry of Deeds in one facility. It will replace the existing under-sized and outdated courthouse and currently leased Juvenile and Housing Court space.
• The Commonwealth will repair and renovate the Haverhill District Court to provide accessibility and increase energy efficiency.
• Construction will begin to restore the historic façade and improve accessibility at the Berkshire Probate and Family Court and Registry of Deeds in Pittsfield.
• The Commonwealth will continue design on the historic renovation and expansion of the Salem Probate and Family Court facility.

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