Thurston County officials appear unified in supporting new courthouse plan
Thurston County law and justice officials appear unified in their support for a nascent plan to build a new courthouse complex.
The officials shared their approval for a new proclamation in planned remarks during a Tuesday Board of County Commissioners meeting and a Wednesday news release.
“Now, therefore be it resolved, the Board of County Commissioners hereby proclaims the priority of a new courthouse and community trust, and commits to a fiscally responsible, collaborative, and transparent process in which this goal is undertaken,” the proclamation says.
The proclamation follows a recent decision to forgo a costly, $50 million renovation of the current courthouse campus on Lakeridge Drive in Olympia. The buildings on that campus, which were built over four decades ago, have deteriorated over the years and no longer meet the county’s space and infrastructure needs.
The board decided earlier this month to spend a more modest $5.5 million to improve the current campus. This scaled-back project should extend the campus’ life span for at least 5 years, allowing the county time to consider how and where to build a new courthouse complex.
In the news release, Commissioner and Board Chair Tye Menser said he is pleased with the collaborative effort that has gone into developing the scaled-back plan.
“By working closely with our justice partners and considering community input, we are making responsible decisions that will improve our courthouse facilities and better serve the needs of our community,” Menser said.
The county expects to get started on the scaled-back renovation project later this year, The Olympian previously reported.
The proclamation references that decision, but it does not describe any immediately actionable steps towards building a new courthouse complex. That will come later.
Judges share appreciation for new commitment
Judge Brett Buckley, who presides over District Court, told the board on Tuesday that he appreciates that the county is talking about a new courthouse again.
“My bottom line is this: Every day we wait, it becomes more expensive,” Buckley said about building a new courthouse.
Buckley said he is pleased the county decided the $50 million renovation was not an appropriate solution.
“We need to commit ourselves to what is the best resolution, which is understanding we need to make the commitment to a new courthouse,” Buckley said.
Judge John Skinder, who presides over Superior Court, told the board their current building has been failing but staff have made it work as best they can.
“The people that we see working on trying to keep the building in good shape are doing good work, but the problem is, this building was not designed to last this long,” Skinder said.
Skinder then laid out his criteria for a new courthouse that can meet the needs of the county and the public.
“One of the points that I’ve tried to come across is that we need a modern, correctly sized, safe and secure courthouse that’s accessible to everybody,” Skinder said.
County Manager Leonard Hernandez said the county intends to solicit proposals for a new courthouse in Olympia soon.
Such options may include buying existing buildings, leasing to own existing buildings or securing property for future construction, he said.
“So, we’ll do a competitive process and look forward to come back to the full board and also the stakeholders to talk though what that process yields…,” Hernandez said.
More stakeholders comment on the new direction
Patrick O’Connor, director of Public Defense, and Thurston County Prosecutor Jon Tunheim attended the meeting but did not speak.
Still, they shared some comments in the county’s news release. For his part, O’Connor said his department supports the board’s decision to address this “critical longstanding crisis for our justice system and its stakeholders.”
“Our community desperately needs a modern courthouse to meet the demands of today’s justice system,” O’Connor said in the release. “We support the Board’s decision to make responsible short-term investments in the scaled-back courthouse hill renovation while preparing for a brighter future for Thurston County.”
Tunheim echoed O’Connor and called this direction a “positive step forward” for his office and the community.
“The Prosecutor’s Office is excited to consolidate most of our team into a single office location,” Tunheim said in the release. “This move will allow us to better serve the public in a safe and welcoming space, separate from courtrooms.”
To continue providing specialized support, Tunheim said his office’s Domestic Violence team will remain located at the Family Justice Center, and their Juvenile team will continue to operate out of the Family & Juvenile Court.
Carrie Hennen, Pretrial Service Director, said her office is pleased to join the board and stakeholders in working toward a long-term plan for a new courthouse.
“In the meantime, the scaled-back courthouse hill renovation is a fiscally responsible interim approach to short-term space issues,” Hennen said. “We look forward to working with the Board and the community toward a more permanent solution.”
