Deschutes County officials break ground on long-planned $44.1 million courthouse expansion

(Update: Adding video, comments from commissioners)

Will double existing space, better accommodate recently added judges

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --  Big, long-discussed and awaited changes are coming to the Deschutes County Courthouse. County officials gathered Monday afternoon to break ground on an estimated $44.1 million expansion and upgrade of the courthouse in downtown Bend.

"No doubt, this project is a major investment that we spent a lot of time deliberating on prior to pulling the trigger," Commissioner Phil Chang said.

The line of shovels counted down for the first ceremonial fling of dirt for 52,000-square-foot courthouse expansion project will double the size of the existing facility.

Commissioner Tony DeBone said the funding includes "$15 million from the state of Oregon for this project, just cash - they were able to write a check. So we're going to take a full faith and credit bond, so $20 million of this is going to be borrowed money, but that's just for future to pay off at Deschutes County."

The expansion will be three stories, including new courtrooms, judges’ chambers and offices. And with more traffic at the courthouse expected, more holding cells and secure parking will be added. 

Commissioner Patti Adair said, "It's going to be an enormous project for our downtown Bend. And we so envision that our judicial performance will only improve in the next couple of years."

The project aims to improve court accessibility, enhance court security and allow for future growth. As well as providing better room for a growing number of circuit court judges added in recent years.

The Cumming Group Team and LRS Architects helped design the project and Pence Construction will be building it.

Chang said, "If we don't have enough physical space to do justice work, then people don't have timely access to justice."

 The Deschutes County Courthouse expansion project is expected to be completed late next year.