NCJ Number
76205
Date Published
1980
Length
42 pages
Annotation
The courthouse of Mecklenburg County, N.C., was evaluated to determine its most serious functional deficiencies and to construct a corrective program to be conducted by the courts and the county government.
Abstract
Although the newly constructed courthouse had received praise from architects, its users were generally dissatisfied with the building. Outside assistance was therefore requested to address the facility's problem. Deficiencies included the excess weight of file cabinets which exceeded floor loading limits in the civil department of the clerk's office, lack of emergency alarms in cashier stations, difficulty of access to records and supplies, inadequate provisions for security, lack of provision for audio or video wiring, inadequate lighting and acoustics in the courtrooms, and inadequate size of certain offices and spaces. The courthouse annex is characterized by inadequate air conditioning, lack of secure access for detainees for the second floor courtooms, and inadequate security features in the courtroom used for domestic violence hearings. Extension of past population and court data indicates that demands on the existing space will increase. Long-term solutions are needed both for current problems and for potential future needs. The facilities could be improved by reorganizing the use of space, renovating existing spaces, or adding space by construction or changes in use of existing space. A planning process that includes all interested parties is needed. Planning should be based on an accurate data base. Lists of specific ways to improve the facilities, diagrams and an appendix discussing the establishment of a facility planning function are provided. Tabular data are furnished.