Kentucky Court of Justice
Marion County to break ground for $11.78 million judicial center April 17

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The public is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony for the planned Marion County Judicial Center on Friday, April 17, at 10 a.m. EDT. The event will take place at the construction site at 123 N. Spalding Ave. in Lebanon.

The Kentucky General Assembly authorized the Marion County project in 2006 and approved its funding in 2008. The total project cost is $11.78 million. The building will be approximately 34,000 square feet and is expected to be completed in September 2010.

“Marion County is fortunate to have the opportunity to replace our outdated, 75-year-old courthouse with a modern facility for the 21st century,” Marion County Judge-Executive John G. Mattingly said. “The new judicial center will accommodate the people of Marion County for years to come and will be a tremendous improvement in providing accessible court facilities to our citizens.”

New judicial centers often replace older, vastly inadequate facilities, greatly increasing the efficiency of services and public flow. All new judicial centers are equipped with the modern infrastructure to support data, computer, video and networking technology. The facilities also provide the highest level of Kentucky court security through a single-point entry with magnetometers and security personnel.

Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. said that he appreciates the legislators and county officials who have supported this project for Marion County and other judicial center projects across the commonwealth.

“Kentucky citizens generate more than 1 million court cases each year,” Chief Justice Minton said. “Our citizens deserve safe, efficient facilities in which to conduct their business before the courts.”

The Sherman Carter Barnhart architectural firm of Lexington designed the Marion County Judicial Center. Codell Construction of Winchester is the construction manager for the project and Ross, Sinclaire & Associates, which serves Kentucky and six other states, is the financial agent.

Chief Justice Minton and Judge-Executive Mattingly will be among the speakers at the ceremony. Other state and local officials expected to attend include judges, attorneys and the Marion County circuit court clerk. For more information, contact Judge-Executive Mattingly at 270-692-3451.

Process for Constructing Judicial Facilities

The Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts provides oversight and administration of court facilities in accordance with House Bill 734, which was passed by the 2000 General Assembly. As a result of this legislation, the AOC created a process that would fairly and objectively determine facility needs. The AOC’s Facilities Management System has earned the Kentucky Court of Justice a national reputation for being able to identify facilities with the greatest needs for new construction, renovation, expansion and adaptation.

Once funding for a judicial center is authorized, the AOC Department of Facilities works with local communities to assemble a Project Development Board. This board ensures that county and court officials have input on all aspects of the project, including decisions on the site, architect and contractor. The PDB consists of the county judge-executive, a fiscal court representative, the chief circuit judge, the circuit court clerk, the AOC director or designee and a Kentucky Bar Association designee. The AOC’s executive officer of the Department of Facilities and AOC legal counsel serve in an advisory capacity.

As the administrative and fiscal agent for the Kentucky Court of Justice, the AOC oversees the construction and maintenance of court facilities statewide and supports the activities of 3,800 court system employees, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks.