New $86.5 Million Courthouse Project Moving Along

The site of Bucks County’s new $86.5 million courthouse in Doylestown was buzzing Monday morning as more than 100 workers played their part in constructing the eight-story, 285,000-square-foot building.

The large glass, brick and terra cotta faced building is almost fully enclosed as work moves along on the interior. County officials say the building is 60 percent done.

Bucks County Commissioner Rob Loughery said Monday during a media tour of the new facility he expects staff to be moved into the new building by this time next year. 

The new courthouse will feature better infrastructure for technology, improved security and more space. Floors three and four will feature 16 courtrooms with room to add at least three more on the fifth floor if needed. Commissioner Charley Martin said the current courthouse has six courtrooms and several other spaces converted in courtrooms for the county’s 13 judges. 

Bucks County Director of Operations Jerry Anderson lead the media on a tour of the facility and pointed out the improvements over the current courthouse.

Anderson showcased the new, more secure sheriff’s department. The underground headquarters for the county lawmen features a secure prisoner loading area, more secure holding cells, elevators used just for the transport of prisoners to courtroom and a control center to monitor intake and the more than 300 cameras that will be placed throughout the building.

The building will also feature 40 to 50 conference rooms for lawyers to meet with their clients, officials said. In the current courthouse, lawyers and clients are often seen meeting in the common hallways.

Judges’ offices will be on the eighth floor of the new building. The top floor features breathtaking views of Doylestown and the surrounding area. On a clear day, the Philadelphia skyline can be seen.

County spokesman Chris Edwards said the lobby of the courthouse will feature security measures greater than those in the current courthouse. He added officials are currently drafting their security plan for the new building.

The fifth floor of the courthouse will remain unfinished due to cost concerns. The county commissioners voted earlier this year to approve the move, which is expected to save money.

Portions of the courthouse, which officials are calling the Justice Center, will be adorn with Mercer tiles designed to represent a community in the county, officials said.

The new building is several months behind schedule because of several roadblocks the project faced early on. A land dispute with a property owner and complications incorporating the facade of the more-than-100-year-old Doylestown Armory pushed back the start date, Loughery said. However, the project is currently back on track and no major construction delays have been encountered, he noted.

Martin said the county will not only save money with efficiencies in the courthouse, but will reel in real estate costs as they will be able to bring different departments all into county-owned buildings instead of rental properties.

Officials are still working on a plan for what to do with the old courthouse.