$85M County Courthouse Project Will Begin Construction In Morristown

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners recently unveiled a comprehensive capital spending plan for Morris County, which includes funding for a new courthouse set to be built in Morristown.

The official presentation on the project is anticipated to be delivered to the County Commissioners on Nov. 21 but the estimated cost has already been decided on.

Officials estimate that the courthouse, which will be built on the county parking lot and pocket park off Schuyler Place in Morristown, will cost around $85 million to build.

The contract to build a new courthouse was initially awarded in November 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic hampered construction plans and caused the project to be postponed.

Morris County, according to officials, has attempted to meet the growing needs of the court system by making the best use of the space available in the various buildings in Morristown.

A report completed in January 2018 by Dewberry/Louis Berger recommended the construction of a new criminal courthouse attached to the existing Morris County Administration & Records Building on Washington Street and Schuyler Place.

"This is the year we will resume the courthouse project, which we put on hold due to the pandemic. It must move forward due to the requirements of the New Jersey judiciary. We anticipate completing a final design in 2023 and then bidding the construction, which will involve eight courtrooms, a jury assembly area and judicial chambers," Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen said.

The $85 million project is expected to be financed over the next 25 years.

According to county officials, the project goals are to provide additional criminal court space that is safe and accessible for both the court staff and visiting public.