County Courthouse Replacement Project

Washington County Courthouse Replacement Project

The Washington County Courthouse Replacement Project involves replacing the existing Washington County Courthouse with a modern facility that meets current seismic, safety, accessibility and operational standards. The project was ranked for the second biennium in a row as a top project priority by the Courthouse Facilities Taskforce. The new courthouse will better serve the County’s diverse and growing community and support the justice system for decades to come. The courthouse will need to be replaced due to the following challenges.

SEISMIC SAFETY & RESILIENCY

The structure of the courthouse is physically connected to our Justice Services Building, and neither meet seismic resiliency standards. The buildings are overcrowded, creating significant risk in the event of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.

TIMELY ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Limited space leads to delayed justice and less time to be heard at hearings that are shorter by necessity. The goal is to plan for a modern, safety compliant and trauma-informed facility with enough courtrooms, judges and staff to allow for timely access to justice across our county.

ACCESSIBILITY

Lack of nearby parking and narrow courtroom aisles create barriers for people with disabilities, especially those who have impaired mobility. The aisle to the dais in most courtrooms is too narrow for some wheelchairs. Additionally, access to the witness stand, jury box and even the main building is severely inaccessible.

TRAUMA-INFORMED DESIGN

Insufficient space forces attorneys to meet clients in hallways to discuss sensitive or confidential issues. Victims of violent crimes often share crowded waiting areas with the very people who assaulted them, which can make victims feel intimidated and even re-traumatized.

What is at stake?

Last year, the Oregon Legislature appropriated $1.25 million in matching state funds to plan the replacement of Washington County’s historic 100-year-old Courthouse. The current courthouse has $12 million in deferred maintenance needs, including a roof replacement and water system repairs. Given the urgent need to replace the Courthouse, Washington County set aside $1.25 million to match the state funds needed for the planning phase of this project. However, due to the state’s budget deficit, the state funds appropriated for this project last year are at risk of being clawed back – jeopardizing the planning phase and delaying progress toward a safe, modern, and accessible courthouse.