After talks about a potential new courthouse in Hall County, the space study released in September of last year showed why a new courthouse would be needed.
“The current courthouse does not adequately meet the needs of Hall County. It was discovered through departmental interviews that many departments are operating below the necessary staffing to properly meet Hall County citizens' needs,” the study reads.
The space list included 22 courtrooms, an increase from the current 14 courtrooms. Space would also be provided for an additional seven future courtrooms.
The breakdown is as follows:
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Superior court: six with two additional for the future
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State court: four with two additional for the future
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Juvenile court: six with two additional for the future
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Probate court: two courts
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Magistrate court: four courts
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Flex courtrooms: one virtual courtroom for the future
All told, the entire project would be nearly 650,000-square-feet.
The study also laid out the fact that the current courthouse built in 2002 poses “major security issues.” That is due to the fact that there are areas in the building where inmates pass through the places the public is and judges having to use public elevators.
To remedy this, the new courthouse has three recommended access points. That is one main entrance for the public and staff, an entrance for judges and elected officials with parking recommended within or underneath the building, and an access by the sheriff’s department.
Another reason a new courthouse is necessary according to the space study is anticipated population growth.
According to the study, Hall County’s population is expected to grow by just over 97,000 by 2060, an expected increase of roughly 44-percent.
With an increased population comes increased caseloads. A recent study shows that from 2018 to 2022, there was a steady caseload increase of six to eight-percent per year.
The study cites that there has also been an increased level of crime in Gainesville. The violent crime rate in Gainesville is 19.9, slightly lower than the national average. However, the property crime rate is 54.1, much higher than the national average of 35.4.
The study showed a need for an immediate seating of an additional superior court judge and projected population increases show that an additional superior court judge may be needed within the next five years.
It also shows that the number of state court judges may need to double from three to six.
All told, there are currently 429 judges and judicial staff. By 2055, an estimated 793 positions will be needed.
The study also recommended between 900 and 1500 parking spaces
There were two site options listed with estimates ranging from a cost of $376-million to $495-million.
The first site option includes renovating the existing courthouse and just one parking deck. The second option includes two parking decks and a bigger courthouse while selling the existing courthouse.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/3/1289624/potential-new-courthouse-study-shows-more-judges-cost-estimates