Shasta County's new 6-story courthouse has an opening date. What visitors should know
The move into Shasta County’s new, $175 million courthouse will start later this month and will it take nearly a month to move files, court documents and personnel just across the street.
The move will be done in phases and the new courthouse will be fully open for business on Feb. 20.
Recently, Court Executive Officer Melissa Fowler-Bradley announced how the move will unfold.
Starting on Jan. 25, supplies for the new courthouse and older court files will be moved, but no courtrooms or court staff will be moving during this time, which should take four days, Fowler-Bradley said.
Civil court operations will start moving into the new courthouse on Feb. 7 and the move should continue through the weekend, or Feb. 11.
Fowler-Bradley said while this takes place, the Civil Clerk’s Office will be in Room 219 until noon on Feb. 9, when the office will close and the drop box can be used.
“Access to court files/records during the move will be very difficult. The court asks that all persons limit their business with the Civil Clerk’s Office, if possible, until that division reopens in the new building on February 13, 2024, at 8:30 a.m.,” Fowler-Bradley stated in a news release.
Also, all courtrooms associated with small claims, probate, family law, guardianship, appeals, self-help center, human resources, family court and portions on the finance division will be moved and open for business on Feb. 13 at 8:30 a.m.
Next, operations associated with criminal cases, mental health, traffic and court collections will start making the move on Feb. 14 and will continue moving through Feb. 18. Limited staffing for these operations will be temporarily in Room 319 until noon on Feb. 16, when the office will close and the drop box can be used, Fowler-Bradley said.
People should try to limit their business with the criminal clerk’s office until the divisions reopen on Feb. 20, she said.
More: Finally, an opening date for new $175M Shasta County Courthouse. Here are 5 things to know
When court staff members start moving on Feb. 7, access — in person, by phone or electronically —will be affected.
Money for Shasta County’s six-story courthouse came from the state. Work to clear the 2-acre site bounded by Court, Oregon, Butte and Yuba Streets began in 2016 and construction started in December 2018.
Fowler-Bradley said the court will do its best to limit disruption, however, it also will take time for court personnel to adjust to their new surroundings and new systems.
A public ceremony to dedicate the new courthouse will take place this spring on a date to be determined, she said.
David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on X, formerly Twitter, @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338=8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: When the new Shasta County Courthouse will be open, ready for business
