NCJ Number
69639
Journal
State Court Journal Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1980) Pages: 19-22,45
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A study was made by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and Space Management Consultants (SMC). To examine facility problems and needs of the Polk County Iowa, court system.
Abstract
The NCSC/SMC association was formed to provide an integrated judicial administration/space planning and design approach to the successful completion of the court space planning project. The Polk County Courthouse, a 1907 structure housing the county government and courts, was experiencing severe space problems. Relocation of the county administration offices was imminent, and the courthouse needed reorganization. The project was divided into two phases. The first 3 months were dedicated to the development of a short-term improvement action plan to include a minimum-cost reorganization and renovation for full use of the courthouse. Phase two focused on the development of a comprehensive, long-term master facilities plan for the county court system, encompassing the current and future space needs of all court and related agencies, including those that could not be located in the courthouse. Using workload and personnel projections, the association estimated that Phase 3 would have to begin in 1990 in order to achieve the maximum number of courtrooms. The potential maximum capacity of the courthouse is established at 27 courtrooms, chambers, and ancillary facilities. The cost of the complete renovation is projected to be $6.4 million (1979 cost figures). The project will enable the county to anticipate future court space requirements and also accommodate court functions during the next 20-year period using phased program that will achieve optimum use of space. The project will also help the County begin the complex planning process for site acquisition and new construction necessary to provide for court system facility needs beyond the year 2000.