GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY HELD FOR
NEW FALL RIVER TRIAL COURT
A
groundbreaking ceremony was held today for a new
Fall River Trial Court at 186 South Main Street with
prominent leaders from state and local government
participating in the ceremony.
Speakers were Supreme
Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, Chief Justice for Administration
and Management Robert A. Mulligan, District Court Chief Justice Lynda M. Connolly,
Superior Court Chief Justice Barbara J. Rouse, State Senator Joan M. Menard,
Representatives Michael J. Rodrigues and Robert Correia, Division of Capital
Asset Management Commissioner David B. Perini, and Fall River Mayor Edward M.
Lambert, Jr. Chief Justice Mulligan served as master of ceremonies for the event.
The new Fall River
Trial Court will house the Fall River District Court and Bristol County Superior
Court criminal sessions. The five-story building with 150,000 square feet will
contain nine courtrooms filled with natural light, a law library, administrative
offices, jury rooms, and an office for the Bristol County District Attorney's
Office. It will feature modern security and technology systems and will be fully
handicapped-accessible.
"I am confident
that the spectacular new courthouse to be erected in downtown Fall River will
embody and reflect the values of equal justice under the law and will stand as
an appropriate monument to the community," said Chief Justice Marshall. "It is
a symbol of the continuing rejuvenation of our judicial branch."
Chief Justice Mulligan
said, "This beautiful new courthouse, scheduled to be completed in two years,
will provide excellent accommodations for the Fall River District Court and three
sessions of the Bristol County Superior Court. I want to thank all in the Legislature,
Executive, and Judicial branches who have collaborated to bring this project
forward."
Dimeo
Construction will serve as Construction Manager;
Finegold Alexander & Associates, Inc. is the
designer. The award-winning courthouse design was
included in the Justice Facilities Review of the
American Institute of Architects, Architecture for
Justice. Finegold Alexander also served as architect
for the transformation of the former Durfee High
School in Fall River to a beautiful, stately courthouse
in 1997, which houses the region's Housing, Juvenile,
and Probate and Family Courts.
"After completing
new court facilities in Worcester and Plymouth, this project is the first among
the next wave of new court facilities to actually move into construction," said
Division of Capital Asset Management Commissioner David B. Perini. "Modern court
facilities are critical to the efficient operation of the judiciary, and we are
thrilled to be able to bring a state-of-the-art court facility, as well as a
beautiful new landmark building to downtown Fall River."
"I
am thrilled to be on hand today for the groundbreaking
of the new Fall River Trial Court," said Senator
Joan M. Menard (D-Fall River). "Today marks the beginning
of a new chapter in downtown Fall River."
The new Fall River
Trial Court is the first courthouse in the Commonwealth to seek Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design Accreditation. The design incorporates high efficiency
lighting with an emphasis on maximizing the use of natural daylight. The heating
and cooling systems, and other mechanical and electrical systems throughout the
building, also will be highly efficient.
The new Fall River
Trial Court is scheduled for completion in fall 2009.
View photos from the
ceremony
