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Frequently
Asked Questions
Court Capital Projects
What
is the purpose of the Master Plan?
The
Master Plan for the Improvement of Court Facilities establishes
a process of collaborative analysis, planning, and review to ensure
fair and objective selection and implementation of capital improvements
to meet the capital needs of the Massachusetts court system.
What is the process for setting priorities for major projects?
In 1997, an independent Architectural/Engineering consultant carried
out a comprehensive survey of court facilities (The Building Conditions
Survey) under the direction of the Division of Capital Asset Management.
The information obtained through the survey and subsequent updating
has been used to identify relative needs for capital improvements
and repairs for courthouses across the Commonwealth, regardless
of ownership.
Relative
sizes of caseload and the degree of overcrowding at each facility
were ranked.
Qualitative
criteria were added to account for such factors as regional significance,
historical value, and potential to replace private leases.
All of these criteria were combined to develop a ranked list of
major capital needs, divided into categories of top, high and average
priority. The purpose of this ranking is to guide the selection
of court facilities for major renovation, replacement and repairs
under the 1998 courthouse bond authorization.
What is the process for setting priorities for repair projects?
Initial
priorities for repair of facilities were developed utilizing information
from the Building Conditions Survey. A process for analysis and
identification of specific repair projects has begun. The most severe
problems of life safety, security, and accessibility will be addressed
first.
What are the Periodic Reviews?
Under the master plan, the leaders of the Supreme Judicial Court,
the Administrative Office of the Trial Court, and the Division of
Capital Asset Management will meet regularly to monitor progress and
track expenditure for both major and repair projects. As new information
is obtained or conditions change, this group will re-assess priorities. The criteria for setting priorities are established in this master plan, but the relative ranking of facilities may be adjusted as needed to account for changes that occur over time.
What is the recommended schedule?
The recommended schedule of major projects and repairs is represented
in the Division of Capital Asset Management's annual Five-year Capital
Spending Plan.
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