This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Open House Held at Newly Renovated Courthouse

Washington County residents were invited to tour the county's newly renovated court facilities Dec. 4.

Washington County residents were invited to take a look at the county's newly renovated courthouse Dec. 4.

Officials held a brief dedication ceremony to mark the completion of a major expansion of the courthouse, part of an ongoing $69.1 million renovation of the county's government center in Stillwater. The new courthouse boasts four additional courtrooms with room for expansion and single check-point security, allowing for the most efficient use of sheriff's office security staff.

 Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea joined local officials in marking the occasion.

Find out what's happening in Oakdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"However you come here, you can feel safe knowing that the people working in this courthouse will be working to keep the promise of our Constitution," Gildea said at the ceremony.

Some key facts on the improvements, according to Washington County fact sheets:

Find out what's happening in Oakdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Money for the project came from a $79.2 million capital improvement bond approved in 2007 that paid for road improvements, park acquisitions and government center renovations.
  • More than 450 private sector employees worked on the courthouse construction project.
  • More than 2.2 million pounds of structural steel and 470,000 blocks and bricks were used in the courthouse project.
  • Eight new courtrooms were constructed for a total of 13, with the potential for six more in the future.
  •  The new facilities will allow for better separation of victims and their alleged perpetrators.
  • The courthouse now has separate, dedicated space for juvenile and family court.

Due to security measures, the county does not allow photography inside the courthouse.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Oakdale