Judicial Center Site Selection Criteria & Project Concept Public Input through Oct. 12

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) invites residents to provide input on site selection criteria and project concept for the new Judicial Center project as part of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) 2020 Project 1 - Facilities Space Modernization. The goal is that the Judicial Center will be designed to house the majority of functions located in the current Athens-Clarke County Courthouse and other judicial functions.

The site selection criteria provide guidelines for evaluating potential sites for the Judicial Center. The criteria may include characteristics such as acreage, connection to utilities, Transit access, public ownership, and other factors. The project concept will provide the basis of design and goals for the building moving forward through the design process. The concept highlights some standards for security, accessibility, sustainability, and other factors that will be taken into account in the design.

ACCGov will host two drop-in community meetings about the Judicial Center site selection criteria and project concept on Thursday, September 29 from 5:00-7:00 PM and on Saturday, October 1 from 1:00-3:00 PM. Both will take place at the Dougherty Street Governmental Building Auditorium at 120 West Dougherty Street, Athens, GA 30601.

Residents are invited to drop by either meeting during these hours to learn more about the SPLOST Facilities Space Modernization project and the Judicial Center. Public input will also be accepted through an online survey available at www.accgov.com/judicialcenter through October 12, 2022. The webpage also contains additional project information, including a recording of the presentation to the Mayor and Commission at their September 15, 2022 Work Session that includes a detailed project introduction.

Members from the design team and ACCGov staff will attend both community meetings to answer questions and receive comments about the goals and criteria for site selection and proposed plans for the new judicial center. Exhibits will show the project concept, site selection criteria, and other information.

The public will have the opportunity to suggest potential sites for the Judicial Center during the overall site selection process. After public feedback on site selection criteria ends, staff will present recommended site selection criteria to the project user group and the Mayor and Commission later this fall in order to begin evaluating sites that meet the approved criteria.

Approximately $67.1 million has been designated for the Judicial Center through SPLOST funds, with $44 million designated for construction. The overall funding includes design, construction, public art, land acquisition, permitting, and furniture and equipment, among other items.

Additional public input opportunities are planned as the project moves through additional phases for site selection and design.

For more information, contact the SPLOST / TSPLOST Program Management Office at 706-613-3025 or [email protected] or visit www.accgov.com/splost.