Despite some past communication troubles between the City of
Morgan Hill and Santa Clara County, the two plan to meet at
Wednesday
’s City Council meeting to discuss the new county courthouse
project – again.
Despite some past communication troubles between the City of Morgan Hill and Santa Clara County, the two plan to meet at Wednesday’s City Council meeting to discuss the new county courthouse project – again.
After a series of public workshops and council meetings produced a long list of suggestions for the courthouse, county project managers went away to tweak the 80,000 square-foot, $40 million building’s design to be built on Butterfield Boulevard, between Diana Avenue and the Caltrain parking lot. Two buildings, actually; a courthouse and a smaller building to house District Attorney and court-related offices.
Under discussion are color schemes, landscaping, a shared driveway and minor design changes.
While the original scheme showed a rather stark, white building, a letter to Mayor Dennis Kennedy from Kevin Carruth, director of the county’s General Services Agency, proposed a finish “reminiscent of mission adobe buildings,” with a white finish on foreground elements … and a French gray contrasting. Carruth said a red hue was increased in the gray, warming the tone. “A smooth hand-trowel texture similar to historic mission style buildings” will enhance the plaster finish, he said.
Other changes include easing pedestrian flow between Butterfield, through a landscaped area to the Caltrain lot and to a path to Third Street and downtown, where restaurants, shops and services await county employees.
City and county will also discuss changing a shared driveway to concrete, to accommodate a 25-ton fire engine. The city plans to build its third fire station just north of the justice center. Strengthening the driveway will cost an estimated $72,000 and would be paid for fromthe Fire Impact Fund.
The city previously agreed to contribute $7 million of its RDA funds to the courthouse project in return for the county not challenging, legally, the extension of the city’s RDA. The county is abandoning the San Martin courthouse. The center should open December, 2005.
Council will also consider whether or not to undertake a new city-wide survey asking citizens how satisfied they are with public safety, speed of growth, community quality – diverse population, job opportunities, transportation, cultural activities, recycling, recreation and a host of other city functions.
The survey could cost between $7,500 and $23,000.
City Council meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in City Hall Chambers, 17555 Peak Ave. Details: www.morgan-hill.ca.gov or 779-7271.
