Balance of Santa Ana Courthouse Funds OKd
A House subcommittee Wednesday authorized the remaining $25 million necessary for construction of the Santa Ana Federal Courthouse, which is expected to provide much-needed space for 15 judges.
The money is the balance of $123 million approved by Congress last year for the courthouse, to be named after former President Ronald Reagan.
Original plans called for a $168-million building, but construction was delayed when the Clinton Administration, in an effort to streamline government, cut $45 million from the final authorization.
Despite the reductions, the building is nearly the same size as originally planned. It will have one less floor and fewer parking spaces and will not be as opulent as other existing federal courthouses.
Concerns have been expressed by Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) that the cuts will mean a reduction in the seismic safety of the structure. In a statement Wednesday, Dornan praised the authorization, but said he still had not been assured that a proposed $4 million in cuts in seismic safety features would enable the courthouse to meet all local, state and federal safety requirements.
“If such requirements are not met, I will keep working until they are,” Dornan said.
The 348,000-square-foot building, begun with the help of Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach), will provide space for 14 courtrooms and 15 judges.
The facility is expected to boost the local economy and relieve crowding at the existing buildings brought on by rising crime.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
