Kentucky Court of Justice
Rowan County to break ground for $13 million judicial center May 26

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The public is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony for the planned Rowan County Judicial Center on Tuesday, May 26, at 1 p.m. EDT. The event will take place at the construction site at 700 W. Main St. in Morehead.

"Today marks an exciting time in Morehead's history as we break ground for the Rowan County Judicial Center project," said Rowan County Judge-Executive Jim Nickell.  "This project lays the foundation for having a judicial and governmental complex to serve the citizens of Rowan County."

The Kentucky General Assembly authorized the Rowan County project in 2006 and approved its funding in 2008. The total project cost is $13 million. The building will be approximately 37,750 square feet and is expected to be completed in January 2011.

New judicial centers replace older, 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 he appreciates the legislators and county officials who have supported this project for Rowan County. “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.”

Sherman Carter Barnhart architectural firm of Lexington designed the Rowan County Judicial Center. Alliance Corporation of Glasgow and Packs’ Inc. of Morehead are the construction managers for the project and Ross, Sinclaire & Associates, which serves Kentucky and six other states, is the financial agent.

Chief Justice Minton and Judge-Executive Nickell will be among the speakers at the ceremony. Other state and local officials expected to attend include judges, attorneys and the Rowan County circuit court clerk. For more information, contact Judge-Executive Nickell at 606-784-5151.      

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 justices, judges and circuit court clerks.