Council direction

The current Municipal Courthouse facility on Beaver St. has deteriorated to a condition where significant financial resources will be needed in the very near future to remediate and maintain the building in order to ensure continued viability.  This, however, would only serve to make the building safe for operations and does not address current and future space needs.  City Staff and Council have previously agreed that the most cost effective solution is to "design, finance and construct a Courthouse" and this is contained in City Council Goal #3.  Coconino County has determined that they will require additional space for their Justice Court operations.  In collaboration with Coconino County, City Staff has determined that a co-located courts facility at the downtown site of the old county jail is feasible from an operational perspective.    We are coming before Council this evening to ask whether or not this project and our proposed funding strategy is advisable. 

In addition to current and future city identified funds, primarily through court fees and the sale of city owned properties, we have a funding gap of approximately $10 million dollars which represents about half of the total city project cost.  Depending on their proportionate use, the City and County would share the costs of design and construction of an approximate $35 to $40 million dollar project.  This project would also include the construction of a parking structure near the co-located courts facility. 

The proceeds of the sale of city owned properties including old fire station #1, the existing courthouse and property on Beaver St., and the Cherry Building and property on Cherry Ave are estimated at approximately $4,520,000.  The courts fees and other city funds would make up approximately $7 million.  Staff proposes a $10 million dollar, secondary property tax, bond question to go to the voters in the November 2016 election in order to fully fund this courthouse project.   

If Council should provide direction to staff to proceed with this project as described, we would continue to work with our County partners to further refine the concept design of the co-located courts facility.  Our recommended outreach strategy would be to host a series of public open houses and presentations to local civic, business, and neighborhood organizations.  Staff is also interested in hearing from Council on other ideas it may have regarding public engagement.  We would then return to Council in late June with initial feedback from the public as well as a proposed ballot question for your consideration and possible adoption.

COUNCIL GOALS:

3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics

• Design, finance and construct Courthouse