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Shasta County supervisors authorize demolition of old courthouse, ask staff to return with reuse options
Summary
After examining repair and reuse costs, the Board authorized demolition of the old courthouse campus, directing staff to begin environmental work and return with potential reuse options and grant opportunities; estimated demolition cost cited around $5.3 million.
The Shasta County Board of Supervisors voted (recorded as passing on a four‑of‑five basis) March 18 to authorize demolition of the old courthouse campus and directed staff to proceed with environmental review and demolition preparations while returning later with proposals for how to use the cleared site.
Public Works Director Troy Bartolome presented three options: full demolition to create a flexible parcel and parking (estimated demolition cost roughly $5.3 million), partial demolition and repurpose of the front portion (estimated redevelopment cost about $17.5 million) and demolition combined with a park/pavilion concept that could be supported by some grants but also could include grant conditions limiting future uses. Bartolome noted holding costs for the vacant building (maintenance, utilities and security) and rising construction costs if demolition and redevelopment are delayed.
Board members discussed alternatives including selling the property, seeking non‑encumbered grants, conducting an auction of architectural elements and crushing/repurposing demolition material as fill to reduce haul costs. Supervisors agreed to start demolition work (option C) and to continue simultaneous exploration of grants and community‑led reuse concepts; staff will return with recommended site uses and any grant opportunities. The Board requested minimizing ongoing maintenance while environmental work proceeds.
Public commenters offered a range of views: downtown advocates who favored a town square or park, residents urging preservation or adaptive reuse and others urging prompt demolition to cut holding costs. The Board directed staff to include grants research during CEQA and pre-demolition steps and authorized interim minimal maintenance to control vectors and vandalism until demolition work begins. Staff said the environmental and site-preparation work could push construction/demolition into next construction season and that some work (topographic surveys, data-cabling relocation) must precede physical demolition.
