Guest Commentary: Public Input's Built Into Courthouse Plan

Summary

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Ten years ago, Santa Fe county commissioners began discussing the need for a new courthouse for the First Judicial District, which includes Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties. In 2005, the commission voted to place the courthouse downtown. In 2006, commissioners put a $25 million general obligation bond to a vote by putting it on the ballot; the bond was passed by county residents in November 2006. The total budget for the project is $55 million with $25 million coming from the bond and the remainder from proceeds of the unobligated portion of the 116 percent gross-receipts tax.

The decision to place the courthouse downtown was influenced by a desire to benefit local residents with a centralized location, to augment downtown business with permanent courthouse staff and a constant flow of people into the area, and enhance the vitality of downtown as a hub of civic life. Downtown must be a place for all people of our community!

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Extract

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Guest Commentary: Public Input's Built Into Courthouse Plan

Those who have reacted negatively to the courthouse are a group of about 50 people. Yes, this is the "community" that keeps being referred to -- a small group w...

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