Project Details
Study and Project Designer: Finegold Alexander Architects
Contractor: Dimeo Construction
Project Type: CM at Risk
Gross Square Feet: 116,000
Est. Project Cost: $174,305,643
Est. Construction Substantial Completion Date: Winter 2029/2030
The new facility will consolidate multiple courthouse facilities to create a regional justice center for District, Juvenile, Probate & Family, and Housing Court in Framingham.
This new three-story, 116,000 SF building will be a state-of-the-art courthouse housing seven courtrooms, five hearing rooms, a jury pool room, two deliberation rooms, the District Attorney’s Office and a Court Service Center.
Additionally, the facility will provide office space that is optimized for efficiency through technology and digital courthouse operations, and a central holding area designed to modern courthouse security standards. The building will be fully accessible, energy efficient and sustainable, employing the use of geothermal wells for heating and cooling needs and PV solar panels on the roof that will be implemented via a third-party Power Purchase Agreement.
With significant input and guidance from TRC leadership, the design has a civic presence and offers a clear, welcoming entry that reflects the importance of justice to the community. Its height, footprint and location on the site respond to its context reinforcing the urban context along Union Ave.
Coordination with the Framingham Historic Commission and Mass Historic will be a key element of project design and permitting due to the demolition of the Danforth Building. As part of the agreements, reuse of building elements from the Danforth will be included as public art in commemoration of the site’s historic significance in the city.
Project Features
- All electric building
- Geothermal wells
- Solar panels
- Incorporates best practices for 21st century courthouses
- Incorporates biophilic materials
- Sustainable, energy efficient design that aligns with DCAMM’s priority objectives - decarbonization goals by 2050, and Executive Order 594