New Superior Courtrooms Praised for Uniqueness

San Diego Superior Court officials dedicated eight new courtrooms Wednesday in an annex that is being touted both for its economical modular design and the cooperation that led to its construction.

The new courtrooms, which will be used exclusively for civil cases, are at 2nd Avenue and Broadway, in an office building next door to Horton Plaza and about a quarter of a mile east of the main downtown courthouse.

Judges and administrators say the extra space will help alleviate a severe crowding problem that has hampered the local court system for years.

Additionally, the plush new courtrooms will be a significant improvement for litigants used to the decaying main courthouse, which has been plagued by infrastructure problems almost since it was built in the late 1960s.

Designers say the judges agreed to several compromises that helped keep the cost of each courtroom under $200,000. For example, there are no private restrooms in the judges’ chambers, and there are only two law libraries serving the eight courtrooms.

The total cost of the Superior Court Annex was $1.3 million for improvements to the building; the annual lease cost is $581,284. The new courtrooms were completed on time and within budget, officials said.

The cost of operating the new facility is roughly the same as for seven temporary courtrooms in the Hotel San Diego that were forced to close last summer due to asbestos contamination.

The new facility’s unique modular design maximizes space and allows a judge easy access to his clerk, reporter and researcher.

“This design meets every need in that regard,” Presiding Superior Court Judge Arthur Jones said. “It allows people to do their work without getting all over each other.”

County officials are examining proposals for a new building that will house 16 courtrooms and office space for the district attorney.