State panel to consider sidelining new courthouse in Glendale

A panel in charge of administering California’s court system announced plans to consider a request to indefinitely delay 13 planned court construction projects, including one in Glendale.

The request comes as the statewide budget gap continues to suck the wind out of a planned overhaul of the Glendale facility, which was expected to be parred down after some skepticism was expressed at the state’s Court Facilities Working Group over the need for a completely new building.

Costs for a new 110,000-square-foot Glendale courthouse on 600 block of East Broadway were expected to hit $123.9 million. The new Los Angeles County Superior Courthouse, which officials say is needed to address overcrowding and security issues, was projected to be as tall as five stories, with eight courtrooms and a parking structure.

But concerns over costs may dilute those plans, perhaps down to a renovation of the existing building, which is nearly 60 years old, according to a state report.

Later this month, officials will consider recommendations to indefinitely delay seven new courthouse projects due to state budget cuts, according to an announcement Friday from the Judicial Council of California, Administrative Office of the Courts.

-- Jason Wells, Times Community News

Follow Jason Wells on Google+ and on Twitter: @JasonBretWells