The development of a new Santa Clarita Courthouse has been reprioritized as an “immediate need” in a list aimed to prioritize the rebuilding of courthouses across the state, officials said Tuesday.

The Reassessment of Trial Court Capital-Outlay Projects outlines the needs of 80 courthouses in California ranging from immediate, critical, high, medium and low, with Santa Clarita jumping to the highest category.

A new Santa Clarita Courthouse would cost an estimated $345 million, with 24 courtrooms needed, according to the reassessment.

The methodology involves a two-step process, according to the Judicial Council of California.

The first step analyzes the physical condition of the buildings; needed improvements to alleviate the risks associated with seismic conditions; fire, life and safety concerns; and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, among others. 

In the second step, needs-based criteria and cost-based criteria are then used to rank projects within the priority groups.

The new Santa Clarita Courthouse was initially placed within the “high need” category, the third-highest category on the list.

See Related: New Santa Clarita Courthouse Named ‘High Need’ By Statewide Committee

Before submitting the final report for the council’s consideration, the committee revised the initial scoring criteria and priority list based largely on public comment, according to officials.

“Updated scoring methodology puts more emphasis on seismic risk, which affected many of the projects that moved into the Immediate and Critical needs categories, including the projects in Los Angeles County,” said Blaine Corren, public affairs analyst for the Judicial Council. 

The Judicial Council is scheduled to consider the priority list for new courthouse construction projects, legislative priorities for the branch and more at its November business meeting.

The California Judicial Council is set to consider an updated priority list for new courthouse construction projects statewide, including Santa Clarita. The council may also consider adjusting the scoring process and criteria used to create the list, according to officials.

“Before the Legislature will fund any more new courthouse construction projects, the council must reassess its priority list,” read a Judicial Council statement. 

With help from local courts, a working group of the council’s Court Facilities Advisory Committee and council staff, the organization reviewed hundreds of court facilities throughout the state. 

The process included a lengthy self-assessment by each superior court of their operations and the potential implications of new courthouse construction, said officials.

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