FRANKFORT, Ky., Sept. 20, 2005 . The public is invited to celebrate the official opening of the new Breathitt County Judicial Center on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. EDT.
The justice center is located at 1129 Main St. in Jackson.
"We borrowed a design from the past as a model for our new judicial center," said Breathitt County Judge Executive Lewis H. Warrix. "The clock tower is reminiscent of the old courthouse that was torn down in the early 1960s to replace our present courthouse.
This state-of-the-art building will serve for many years as a center for justice in Breathitt County. We would especially like to thank the Project Development Board for their long hours of dedicated service in overseeing the completion of this beautiful building. This project will serve as a focal point and an incentive for the renewal of the city of Jackson downtown area."
The judicial center contains approximately 35,000 square feet which provides space for Circuit and District courts, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk and ancillary services, according to Garlan VanHook, general manager of facilities for the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in Frankfort, which is the fiscal agent for the Kentucky Court of Justice and oversees courthouse construction statewide.
The new court facility increases efficiency of services and public flow. It is equipped with modern computer, video and networking technology. The design also brings security to Breathitt County courts through a single-point entry with magnetometers and security personnel. In addition, prisoners will be segregated from the public through the use of separate entrances, corridors and elevators.
The Breathitt County Judicial Center was designed to meet the standards required by the Administrative Office of the Courts. CMW of Lexington served as the architect, Codell Construction of Winchester served as the construction manager and Ross Sinclair of Frankfort was the financial advisor.
Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert will speak at the dedication. State legislators, circuit and district judges, county magistrates, AOC staff and local officials are also expected to attend. For more information, contact Kay Barnett at 606-666-3800, x224.
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