CELEBRATORY OPENING OF NEW PLYMOUTH
TRIAL COURT
DRAWS HUGE GATHERING
The
celebration of the opening of the magnificent new Plymouth
Trial Court at 52 Obery Street in Plymouth drew hundreds
of guests and dignitaries today, including Governor
Deval Patrick, Lt Governor Timothy Murray, Supreme
Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall,
Senate President Therese Murray, and Chief Justice
for Administration and Management Robert A. Mulligan,
who was master of ceremonies for the outdoor noon event.
The modern, three-story,
newly constructed, brick and glass building houses the Plymouth District, Housing,
Juvenile, Probate and Family, and Superior Courts, the Plymouth Trial Court Law
Library, and a staff office for the Plymouth County District Attorney's
Office. It features ten courtrooms, secure detention areas, handicapped accessibility,
and state-of-the-art information technology and digital recording capability.
"Nothing
gives me greater pleasure or pride than to celebrate
the rejuvenation of our judicial branch," said
Chief Justice Marshall. "This building is a tribute
to the commitment of the leaders of all three branches
of government to improve and modernize courthouses
throughout this Commonwealth. This courthouse's
architecture symbolizes that it belongs not to judges,
clerks and lawyers; it belongs to 'we the people.'"
“This
new facility is truly a community project,” said
Governor Patrick. It brings together all five court
departments in Plymouth, allowing them to save resources
and make the courts more accessible, both literally
and figuratively, to those they serve. This development
is beneficial to the Plymouth economy and is a blueprint
for successful projects across the Commonwealth.”
The
189,000 square-foot courthouse was designed by Perry
Dean Rogers/ Partners/Architects and constructed by
Gilbane Building Company. Construction began in May
2005 and was completed this summer. The total cost
of the project was $71 million with funding from the
1998 Court Facilities Bond Bill.
“Since
I was first elected to the Senate, we have been working
to provide the Plymouth County Courts with a building
that meets their ever-increasing needs," Senate President
Murray said. "With patience and perseverance,
we were able to get to this day. This is a courthouse
for the 21st century, where state-of-the-art courtrooms,
office space and holding cells will allow our justice
system to work to its fullest potential."
Chief
Justice Mulligan said, "This building clearly
signals that our Commonwealth truly values justice.
The beauty, functionality and solidity displayed here
underscore our commitment that all who come to this
courthouse will understand justice as the essential
cornerstone of a free society."
Other
speakers at the event included First Justice Thomas
Brownell of the Plymouth District Court, Judge Louis
Coffin of the Plymouth Juvenile Court, Commissioner
David Perini of the Division of Capital Asset Management,
Plymouth Representative Vinny deMacedo, and Marshall
Johnson of the Plymouth District Bar Association. Music
was provided by the Plymouth High School Marching Band.
