A truce was called between the City Council and Santa Clara
County representatives Wednesday night when the two sides met to
hear detailed plans for the new County Courthouse.
A truce was called between the City Council and Santa Clara County representatives Wednesday night when the two sides met to hear detailed plans for the new County Courthouse. Though council was not convinced of the building’s beauty, it and the public will have a chance Thursday night to review, judge and voice their opinions of the detailed plans, including a three dimensional model.
The 80,000-square-foot, two-building justice center is planned for a site between Butterfield Boulevard and the railroad tracks and between the Caltrain parking lot and Diana Avenue, will cost $40 million. It is expected to be occupied by December 2005.
The original disagreement came to light at the Feb. 19 council meeting where Mayor Dennis Kennedy grilled Alicia Flynn, project manager for the courthouse, beyond the bounds of propriety, according to Carruth. The council had accused the county of proceeding with courthouse plans and ignoring city design considerations.
Kevin Carruth, director of the county’s General Services Agency sent a seven page, closely written letter to City Manager Ed Tewes and the council on March 3, checking off in great detail where he thought the council had misinterpreted county actions and leaned too heavily on Flynn. He offered to attend a council meeting and explain the project himself and answer any questions. Wednesday night was that appearance.
“Isn’t it possible to shake hands and smile at this point and go forward?” asked Councilwoman Hedy Chang. “There is no point in going back – it won’t cure anything.”
“We are more than happy to go forward,” Carruth responded.
Carruth brought a full complement of county staffers with him, including the county counsel and the project architect so any questions the council had could be answered. Almost the first thing he did was to acknowledge the letter the council had sent apologizing if Flynn had been offended.
It turned out that the council had few questions for anyone but Carruth and the architect and most of those revolved around the complex’s external appearance. Council only had line drawings and elevations of the buildings that are two-dimensional and do not show shadings, set backs and, as a result, do not present the buildings at their best. Colors and materials have not yet been chosen.
“I don’t see that it fits the Morgan Hill community,” said Mayor Dennis Kennedy. “It’s out of context – that long, flat roof.” He mentioned a courthouse in Roseville that he found pleasing with stronger, vertical elements.
“I’m not an architect but I can recognize a good building when I see it,” Kennedy said.
Two buildings are required because the state will take over the court system in 2007 and the state and county facilities will need to be separate. The center will include six courtrooms, jury deliberation and assembly rooms, a court clerk’s office and day-holding facilities. There will also be office space for the district attorney’s, public defender’s and probation departments, all to take up most of the 7.8 acre site. After 2007 the state will own the courthouse and the county the justice center.
The fact that the Justice Center will occupy most of the site was another bone of contention for the council. They had planned to locate a new police station and a third fire station on the site but, with the courthouse expanding from its original size and a survey showing the site to be smaller than thought, there is no longer enough room.
The city has gone in another direction for the police station – it is buying a new building on Vineyard Avenue – but is thinking creatively about the fire station.
“We may still be able to build a fire station by acquiring some of the VTA (Valley Transportation Authority) parking lot,” said City Manager Ed Tewes.
In the meantime, the council invites the public to stop by Council Chambers Thursday night at 7 p.m. to view the model, the drawings and to hear the architect’s presentation.
Morgan Hill City Hall, 17555 Peak Ave. Details: 779-7271. Council meetings are broadcast live on cable access channel 17. The city’s website is www.morgan-hill.ca.gov
