MAYOR NUTTER, GOVERNOR RENDELL AND CHIEF JUSTICE CASTILLE ANNOUNCE NEW FAMILY COURT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Philadelphia, May 21, 2010 – Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Governor Edward G. Rendell and Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille announced details of a collaborative, landmark agreement for the development of a new Family Court Center in Philadelphia. Construction of the new facility will begin in July of 2010 at the northwest corner of 15th and Arch Streets and will streamline Family Court activities currently taking place at 1801 Vine Street and 34 South 11th Street. The State will release $200,000,000 in Public Improvement Project funding for the project.rnrn“The development of a new Family Court in Philadelphia will lead to a significant increase in the efficiency of the City’s judicial process by streamlining the operations of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations divisions,” said Mayor Michael Nutter. “I’m pleased with the collaborative effort in planning for a building design that can adequately accommodate workers and visitors while fitting into Philadelphia’s sustainable design.”rnrn“When you consider that more than 80 percent of the men and women in these buildings who are seeking resolution of custody, child support or protection from abuse orders do not have lawyers, these antiquated buildings present a daunting challenge to these unrepresented citizens to navigate or even to feel safe waiting for their cases to be heard,” Governor Rendell said. “Both buildings are simply too cramped and outdated to handle the number and types of cases that are taken up on a daily basis in Family Court.”rnrn“Consolidating the judicial operations of the two divisions of Family Court will better serve the needs of citizens in a more functional manner,” said Chief Justice Castille. “The surrounding government buildings, supporting agencies and public interchanges will provide more convenience and efficiency for visitors and Court employees.” rnrnThe City will operate the new Family Court Center, which will have over 400,000 square feet of useable space, an increase of approximately 70,000 square feet from the combined space of therntwo existing facilities. It will include 14 occupied floors and three subterranean parking levels for 265 cars. Construction of the facility will employ state of the art energy efficiency and “green” technology, and is designed to obtain LEED Silver certification. The City is prepared to issue a Request for Proposals for the existing Family Court site at 1801 Vine Street that will eventually be used for development that’s compatible with current activities and facilities located along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.