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Deschutes County officials give construction update on courthouse expansion; completion targeted August 2026
Summary
County facilities staff reported on the Deschutes County courthouse expansion, a roughly 51,000-square-foot, three‑story addition with basement parking, cross‑laminated timber entry, enhanced security and one courtroom able to operate on generator power; construction officials said substantial interior work continues and full project completion is
Deschutes County facilities director Lee Randall provided an update on the county courthouse expansion project, saying the project "as a whole is 3 levels plus the basement parking, and it's about 51,000 square feet." Randall told judges and county staff the expansion will increase courtroom count, consolidate court administration and improve security screening and in‑custody holding and transport.
Randall said the new main entry will be cross‑laminated timber construction with interior queuing for security screening and that the expansion includes a basement parking garage and sheriff's office entrance. "One of the big advantages of the new entry will be we'll have queuing inside for folks waiting to go through security," he said, adding that the design also provides multiple pathways to keep staff, people in custody and the public from unnecessary crossing of paths.
The project includes basement parking, remodel of the existing jury assembly area with two added restrooms, a first‑floor hearing room and additional court administration offices, and a second‑floor courtroom level with about five new attorney‑client visitation rooms. Randall said the design intentionally reduced the number of jury deliberation rooms from two to one on the second floor to permit an additional chambers space.
Construction photos shown at the meeting indicated exterior sheathing and architectural relief on streetscape walls were largely in place, and Randall said the wood structure for the main entry was nearly complete. He said plumbing rough‑in, mechanical ductwork and insulation are underway, roof work is in progress and interior ceilings and finishes will continue in the coming months.
On building systems, Randall said the backup generator will be diesel and sized to support core court operations rather than full building power: "The goal was to be able to carry out court functions… I think we have it set so that at least one courtroom can operate. There's lighting in the lobby, and then ventilation." He did not provide a percentage load figure for the generator.
Randall outlined the schedule: interior work will continue into April, site and frontage work on Herriman Street will start in a few weeks, renovations to the existing building will run March through July, and total project completion is targeted for August 2026. He said the new expansion and main lobby are expected to open sometime before August 2026, but move‑in timelines for core administration and staff were still being worked out.
Other details covered at the meeting included a proposed monument and plaque for the H. A. Tucker building to be incorporated near the Herriman and Greenwood corner, continued attention to sound mitigation in courtrooms and confirmation that the basement parking contains 13 spaces. Randall said allocation of the extra parking spaces would be left to the court to decide.
County and court leaders ended the presentation by inviting meeting attendees to an optional on‑site tour of the construction area at the Herriman Street employee entrance.
