Lane County voters will likely be asked to help fund a new courthouse in the May special election. The county is considering a $158 million bond measure.
Lane County’s courthouse is 60 years old, unsafe and inaccessible according to county officials. They’re seeking to build a new 300 thousand square foot facility on the vacant lot that used to house the Eugene City Hall.
“Our view is that it will improve safety, security, accessibility." says Lane County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky, "People in wheelchairs and with strollers and walkers can’t serve on a jury because we don’t have jury boxes that are accessible. Allow for additional specialty courts and make sure that we’re able to use technology and other things that we really should be using in a modern courthouse.”
Mokrohisky says the state’s capital fund, combined with money in the governor’s proposed budget would provide nearly 100 million additional dollars for construction. County Commissioners have until February 26th to decide whether to put the bond on the May ballot.
