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Revised courthouse concept trims roughly $1.3M from earlier estimate; board schedules public meeting
Summary
Design team presented a two‑level revised courthouse concept that lowers the construction estimate from about $19.2M to $17.9M; removing the front portico would cut another ~$342,000. The board approved a community meeting to review the revised concept and renderings.
The county’s courthouse design team on March 2 presented a revised, two‑level concept that reduces projected construction costs compared with a previously studied three‑level scheme.
Downey & Scott, the county’s cost consultant, updated unit costs to current dollars and produced comparative estimates: the May 2025 three‑level concept had an estimated construction cost of about $19.2 million after indexing; the revised February concept — compacted to two occupied levels — was estimated at about $17.9 million, a savings of roughly $1.3 million (about 6.7%). The design team said removing the portico/colonnade would produce an additional incremental savings of approximately $342,000.
Andrew, the project architect, told the board the largest savings came from reducing concrete/masonry and steel quantities, fewer windows and a smaller plaza footprint. He emphasized those are conceptual numbers with a plus/minus range and urged the board to weigh durability and life‑cycle costs as design decisions are refined.
Several supervisors said the portico and colonnade lend civic presence and practical shelter at the building entrance; others emphasized the need to preserve flexibility for future program growth. The board voted to proceed with a community engagement session on the revised two‑level design (including the portico/colonnade) and asked staff to provide photorealistic renderings for the public meeting.
Next steps: the design team will schedule a Saturday community drop‑in session with staff and consultants to show plans and answer questions; staff will bring back details on options (finished basement shell, lifecycle choices, and the cost implications of fit and finish) in the design phase.
Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 2069; community meeting motion and vote SEG 2730–2748.
