The Superior Court of California recently broke ground on its new Mendocino County courthouse in Ukiah.
Over 125 community members attended the April 30 groundbreaking, which launched the construction of an approximately $120 million, three story, seven courtroom, 82,000-square-foot courthouse in Ukiah.
The new courthouse will replace the current courthouse, which was built in 1951.
“The courthouse has been an important fixture in Ukiah’s downtown for more than a century and a half,” said Sage Sangiacomo, Ukiah city manager. “While our community has outgrown the current building in many ways, it’s critical role as an anchor remains. This investment by the state in a new facility, and their commitment to keeping it downtown, will benefit Ukiah tremendously — for another 150 years or more, we hope.”
The planned courthouse will be modern in design and eco-friendly, said John Petty, operations director at Hensel Philips Construction, a Colorado-based firm managing the construction.
“This investment by the state in a new facility, and their commitment to keeping it downtown, will benefit Ukiah tremendously — for another 150 years or more, we hope.” Sage Sangiacomo, Ukiah city manager
According to Petty, solar panel arrays will cover the parking lot, helping to power the new facility and the landscaping will comprise native, drought tolerant plants. The courthouse will apply for LEED certification, a globally recognized certification system that recognizes how environmentally friendly and energy efficient a building is.
The new courthouse is expected to be completed in 2027. The future use for the current courthouse has yet to be determined.