The $63.2 million Banning Justice Center on Ramsey Street is expected to open sometime in Spring 2014, a project manager with the state Administrative Office of the Courts said Thursday.
The finished courthouse on Ramsey Street will cover 68,399 square feet and house six courtrooms. Court and project officials toured the work site Dec. 12.
According to state court officials, the "mid-county region" of Riverside County is currently served by the Southwest Justice Center with 12 courtrooms, the Hemet Courthouse with 5 courtrooms, the Temecula Courthouse with 1 courtroom, and the Banning Courthouse with 2 courtrooms, for a total of 20 courtrooms serving the region.
The Banning Justice Center, which will also be known as the Riverside Midcounty Region Courthouse, will replace the Banning Courthouse and create more space for the Superior Court.
The building will include space for court administration, a court clerk, court security operations, a holding area, and facility support, according to AOC officials.
The new Justice Center is considered a catalyst and complement for other development in downtown Banning, including the planned Village at Paseo San Gorgonio, according to Bill Manis, economic development director and public information officer for the City of Banning.
Completion of the Banning Justice Center was originally expected in Fall 2013. A groundbreaking ceremony was staged in February 2012 and the authorized budget remains at $63.2 million, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts.
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VIDEO: Banning Justice Center is Expected Open in Spring 2014
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