Update: New Stanislaus courthouse 75% complete. Here’s what’s going to happen to the old one
Editor’s note: The Judicial Council of California clarified for The Bee that it is seeking legislative approval to “dispose of” the current courthouse property. The council has no plans to demolish the existing courthouse. The updated story now reflects that.
The new Stanislaus County Superior Court building in downtown Modesto is nearly complete and beginning to join the city’s skyline, but it took more time and money than originally expected.
The project started with an estimated budget of $278.2 million over a decade ago. The current price tag is estimated at $351.9 million.
Plans for a new courthouse were proposed in 2000 but weren’t authorized until 2010. In September, The Modesto Bee reported it was slated to finish in February 2025.
“There is still some work left to do on things like testing and validation of utilities connections; network integrating; and some framing, drywall, and other finishes,” wrote Blaine Corren, spokesperson for the Judicial Council of California — the proprietor of both the new and old courthouses.
As of Tuesday, the new courthouse is 75% complete and expected to finish construction in June 2025. Though its website incorrectly lists the hope of it being done in March, Corren said this will be updated soon to more accurately reflect the project’s timeline.
Legislative approval is needed to “dispose of” the property, which the JCC is seeking. The Council noted that it has no plans to demolish the existing courthouse.
“The council is seeking legislative approval to dispose of the property. Once legislative approval is obtained, the council is planning to sell the property,” read an email from Corren.
A brief history
After a shuffling of towns being crowned seat of the county, Modesto was given the title in 1871. A three-story courthouse was built on land donated by the Central Pacific Railroad Company in 1872.
Over the next 80 years, it was gradually expanded to fit the plot between 11th and 12th streets. In 1957, the original building was demolished to create space for the current courthouse, which was completed in 1960 at a cost of $1.5 million. One author described the new building as a “large undistinguished box,” according to the Stanislaus County Court website.
Several historical artifacts, statues, art installations and memorials remain on the grounds of the current courthouse. Their fate has not been announced.
As for the site itself, ideas were brainstormed during the downtown Master Plan meetings in 2019. The former jail, which no longer houses inmates, was thought to be a good place for a three-story apartment building.
A new era
The new building, now beginning to tower over downtown, occupies 309,284 square feet of the 3.5-acre lot between Ninth and 10th streets. The current courthouse’s satellites, in Ceres and Turlock, will consolidate in the new facilities, which will house 27 courtrooms.
Construction materials included eight floors supported by steel beams and concrete. The facade is made of aluminum and glass. The grounds surrounding the courthouse will feature Chinese pistachio, Natchez crape myrtle, African sumac, western redbud and marina strawberry trees, along with several species of shrubs.
The project is funded by the JCC through Senate Bill 1407 and was designed by architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP. Construction was contracted to McCarthy Building Companies Inc.
