New San Luis Obispo Courthouse Project

The New San Luis Obispo Courthouse Project, led by the Judicial Council of California, involves the construction of a modern, secure, five-story courthouse encompassing approximately 145,000 square feet on a 1.43-acre site in San Luis Obispo. The project utilizes a design-build delivery method to replace the existing Courthouse Annex, which has been identified as a high-risk seismically deficient building. The new facility will feature 12 courtrooms, including four large and eight multipurpose rooms, and will consolidate court operations from three separate buildings into one location to resolve space limitations and enhance security. The design includes 17 secured parking spaces for judicial and executive staff, while public and staff parking will continue to be provided by city garages. The project timeline begins with building demolition from April to December 2027, followed by site work and foundation construction from January to September 2028, and concludes with building construction from November 2028 to September 2030. Environmental compliance is managed under CEQA, with a Mitigated Negative Declaration and a comprehensive Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program in place to address air quality, noise, and hazardous materials. Specific requirements include strict cultural resources protocols, requiring all construction personnel to undergo sensitivity training and ensuring that all ground-disturbing activities are monitored by a qualified archaeologist and tribal representatives. The project adheres to the 2023 Judicial Council California Trial Court Facilities Standards to ensure the facility reflects the dignity and stability of the judicial system.