Located on a little over 13-acre campus in the heart of the City of Port Orchard, the Kitsap County Courthouse is home to a majority of Kitsap County public safety services. The courthouse is the regional law and justice center for 267,000 residents of unincorporated and incorporated Kitsap County.
Originally constructed in 1935 with the last modernization in 1978, the courthouse needs replacement and has shown its limitations to cost-effectively improve security conditions, life and safety systems, and technology. In addition, the existing building has severe space limitations to economically allocate existing public program needs.
With close to 230,000 people visiting the courthouse every year, this 84-year regional public facility is critically important to county operations. In 2018, the leadership of Kitsap County, with the assistance of a consultant, assessed existing facility conditions of the building and developed projections of future program space needed not only for today but also 20 to 30 years into the future.
Known as the feasibility and space needs study, the review evaluated the condition of the existing courthouse building, security concerns and site factors, culminating in a series of four options. Cost estimates ranged from $130 to $145 million and were well beyond the county's ability to finance with existing revenues. As a result, a fifth option was developed with a budget directive of living within available funds.
Phase I Improvements
On January 28, 2018 the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, after consultation with other county elected leadership, approved Resolution 017-2019 and selected Option 5, a phased approach to addressing near- and short-term needs for the courthouse. Option 5, Phase I includes an addition of courtrooms and offices, along with reuse of the existing courthouse. The estimated cost for Phase 1 is $54 million to be funded through projected Real Estate Excise Tax revenues.
Phase 1 improvements will:
• Improve safety and security for the public, jurors, judges, staff and in-custody defendants with separated corridors and access points.
• Provide ADA facilities to public restrooms, courtrooms and parking areas.
• Enhance vehicular and pedestrian circulation.
• Protect the public's investment by moving forward critical and required building repairs to extend the life of the existing courthouse. These improvements will repair leaking roofs, replace outdated heating/cooling systems, improve security and expand technology.
• Improve onsite parking needs for jurors, visitors and employees.
