2008 News

December 23, 2008

Bucks County Commissioners, President Judge Break Ground on 1,200-Space Parking Garage
Frigid Kickoff to Phase I of Justice Center Project in Doylestown Borough

With a mid-morning temperature of 18 degrees and a wind-chill factor much more severe, Bucks County Commissioner Chairman James F. Cawley, Esq. joined Commissioner Charles H. Martin, President Judge David W. Heckler, former Commissioner Sandra A. Miller and Doylestown Borough elected officials to sink ceremonial shovels into dirt on Monday, December 22. The groundbreaking was the ceremonial kickoff of Phase I of the Justice Center Complex project – the parking garage to be located on Broad St. between Union and Doyle streets. That portion of the project is expected to take approximately 17 months to complete. The project in its entirety, including the design, development and construction of the parking garage and justice center, will last approximately 46 months.

Wrapped in a long coat and scarf, Chairman Cawley deemed the event a long-awaited, “historic” occasion. He thanked the wide array of individuals who have been responsible for “moving this project significantly forward in 2008,” including former President Judge Barry McAndrews and former Commissioner/Congressman Michael G. Fitzpatrick. Cawley was joined at the podium for brief remarks by Doylestown Borough Council President Det Ansinn, Judge Heckler, Commissioner Martin and Doylestown Borough Mayor Libby White. “It’s the 21st century, and we need a 21st century courthouse,” noted Mayor White.

Later in the day, the commissioners joined representatives of Justice Center (Phase II) design team, Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK), for a project kickoff meeting that included stakeholders from the county’s justice-related departments and intrastructural support. During that session, which took place in the courthouse community room, Judge Heckler pledged “ongoing rigor” in all aspects of the Justice Center project. “Every decision we have made has been vetted,” Judge Hecker state. “This has been a long journey to reach this point.”

Included in the early work of the HOK design team, which includes Architect Greg Smith and Project Manager Duncan Lyons, will be “goal-setting visioning sessions” that will address issues such as civic pride, sustainability, longevity and durability.

For more infomation, go to the Capital Projects Garage page.