2024 Safety and Justice history and background
2024 Safety and Justice history and background
TIMELINE:
- January – Historic Courthouse Advisory Committee explores ideas for the Historic Courthouse
- April – Congressional Representative Val Hoyle tours Benton County to assess allocation of federal funds
- June – New Courthouse and District Attorney’s Office funding agreement solidified
2024 News
Benton County Courthouse and District Attorney office funding agreement finalized – June 14, 2024
Design plans for the Benton County Courthouse and District Attorney’s office are one step closer to construction. Benton County and the State of Oregon have agreed on a Master Funding Agreement which solidifies funding sources for the project. And, the County and the property owner have reached an agreement on the purchase of the land for the project.
“This is a huge step for Benton County and our partners to address community safety and emergency management. The Board of Commissioners will continue to advocate for advancing an equitable, effective, and safe justice system for all Benton County residents”, said Xan Augerot, Board Chair.
The agreement signed by the State, will provide funding for a new, 48,892 square foot Benton County Courthouse. The total budget for the project is $86,838,621, of which the State’s share is $38,118,022. The County is contributing $48,720,599, through a combination of County borrowing and other county and federal resources. County resources provide the required match to the State contribution for the new courthouse, and additional resources to include a new District Attorney’s Office of 7,382 square feet to be co-located with the Courthouse. Under Oregon law, the Oregon Judicial Department operates the state’s circuit courts, while the counties provide courthouse facilities for those courts.
In addition to securing funding for the courthouse, Benton County reached a negotiated settlement to purchase the property from McFadden Ranch, LLC. The settlement secures 20 acres of land north of downtown Corvallis. The County had sought the land through an eminent domain lawsuit back in 2022, but that litigation is no longer necessary. The 20-acre site is located on Carson Drive off U.S. Hwy 20 and will be the home of the new Courthouse and District Attorney’s office and will also include the construction of a new Emergency Operations Center that will be built concurrently. That project is funded entirely by state and federal fund resources secured by the County.
Following nearly two years of negotiations, the County and State reached agreement on the initial plans for the courthouse, design criteria, and the manner of payment. The delay in reaching agreement was mostly due to changes needed in the courthouse design that met the architectural and programmatic standards required by state funding. This resulted in changes to the size and scope of the courthouse which in turn increased the cost. This cost increase, along with historical inflation and rising construction cost, required the State to secure more resources during the 2024 Legislative Session. These resources were secured through the approval of House Bill 5701-2 and Senate Bill 5201, the last piece to finalizing the agreement.
”I can’t say enough about all the hard work that has gone into these projects. We are grateful for our partnership with the Oregon Justice Department and funding support from our state legislators. Our County is now ready to begin construction on the new courthouse and District Attorney’s office that will meet the needs of modern operations including ADA-compliance, security features, and separate circulation paths for the public, staff, and in-custody defendants, as well as a jury assembly area”, said Gary Stockhoff, Director of Public Works.
The historic Benton County Courthouse, built in 1888, is the oldest courthouse in Oregon currently being used for its original and intended purpose. In addition to the courthouse, it is where the current District’s Attorney’s Office is located. Though structurally sound, the 27,000 square foot building would not withstand a major earthquake and does not have sufficient space to meet current or future needs. As a result, this project is a high priority for the County to ensure a safe and secure facility that delivers efficient and effective justice services to the public.
“These new facilities are designed to prioritize accessibility, safety and security in a location that supports improved programs and equitable justice for our entire community”, said Augerot.
Representative Hoyle tours Benton County to assess allocation of federal funds – Apr. 9, 2024
On Apr. 4, Oregon’s 4th Congressional District Representative, Val Hoyle, visited the Benton County Commissioners and Sheriff, to celebrate federal funding totaling almost $2 million for two important projects that are a part of the $14.6 million Hoyle helped secure for her district.
Hoyle first toured the Monroe Health Center, an important healthcare resource in rural Benton County. With federal funding secured through Hoyle’s efforts, the out-of-date rural health center will receive an upgrade to deliver essential services in a more modern and efficient setting. Lacey Mollel, the Center’s Director, expressed gratitude for the support and funding, recognizing its potential to enhance patient care.
Hoyle’s advocacy shows a commitment to empowering local voices and ensuring that federal resources address the unique needs of each community. During the visit, Hoyle emphasized the importance of tailoring federal support to align with local priorities.
Federal funds will also strengthen public safety in Benton County.
Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall detailed plans for enhanced communication infrastructure, crucial for navigating emergencies and ensuring community well-being emphasizing the pivotal role of federal support in bolstering emergency response capabilities.
Hoyle said she sees these projects as more than just infrastructure upgrades. They symbolize the power of local engagement and collective action. By aligning federal investment with community priorities, Hoyle and local leaders are paving the way for meaningful change and empowerment at the grassroots level.
Benton County plans for future of Historic Courthouse – Jan. 4, 2024
Benton County’s courthouse is the oldest county courthouse in Oregon still being used for its original purpose. In use since 1889, the building no longer meets court or county needs. Construction of a new courthouse and District Attorney’s office is planned for completion in 2026. The County’s Public Works Department is managing the construction project and is working with DLR Group on the design of the new building. Hoffman Construction is the general contractor. The historic courthouse is an iconic community landmark and Benton County leaders are committed to preserving the building and giving it a new purpose and use.
A Historic Courthouse Advisory Committee has been exploring ideas to make a recommendation to the Benton County Board of Commissioners later this year. The committee is seeking public input on concepts it is evaluating including government and civic use, arts, culture and education uses, or a mixed-use combination of the two. Uses explored by the committee but no longer under consideration include lodging, residential, commercial, retail, business and private offices.
“The historic courthouse has served us well for well over 100 years and we plan to make sure it has a purpose and use for generations to come,” said Tomi Douglas, Benton County Natural Areas, Parks, and Events director and HCAC staff liaison. “Community feedback in this early stage of the planning process is a vital part of creating a plan for the future of this community treasure.”
The public is invited to provide input to the committee through Feb. 15, 2024 in the following ways:
- Provide input at a committee meeting: The next meeting is January 19, 2024. Details can be found at https://bit.ly/BentonCoGov-BCHCAC.
- Complete the community comment form. Available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/hcac_feedback and at County offices from January 4 through February 15, 2024.
More opportunities to participate will follow as the project progresses. Project costs and a final decision about courthouse reuse will be made in the future, following additional County planning and public input activities.
For more information about the Historic Courthouse Advisory Committee’s work, visit https://nape.bentoncountyor.gov/about/historic-courthouse-advisory-committee/ or contact Benton County Natural Areas and Park Director Tomi Douglas, 541-220-8369, tomi.douglas@bentoncountyor.gov.