Press Release: Groundbreaking Ceremonies Held For New Union County Family Courthouse

State-of-the-art Facility Will Improve Security and Public Access; Assignment Judge Calls New Courthouse a “Critical Improvement”

ELIZABETH –Union County officials today held groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Union County Family Courthouse that will become the dedicated home of several of the Family Division courtrooms in Union County.

Planned for approximately 80,000 square feet of space, the new four-story building at 10 Cherry Street will provide enhanced security and public access and is designed to receive United States Green Building Code LEED (Leadership in Environmental Engineering & Design) Certification for full environmental compliance.

 “This new Family Courthouse will be a state-of-the-art facility that will meet the needs of Union County families and our Courts for many, many years to come,” said Daniel P. Sullivan, executive director of the Union County Improvement Authority (UCIA), which financed the $33,380 million project and is managing its construction and completion.

“By utilizing the UCIA’s ability to offer lower cost financing through tax-exempt bonds, we are also saving taxpayers money while adding a much-needed facility that will be of benefit to thousands of Union County residents,” said Mr. Sullivan.

The anticipated completion date is December 2014, and the project is anticipated to create up to 60 construction jobs.

Union County Freeholder Chairwoman Linda Carter praised the UCIA for its efforts and noted that the building will be a major improvement for families and for the county court system.

“This facility will ensure that families have greater privacy and court personnel have greater security and improved work areas,” said Ms. Carter.  “Just as importantly, this new building will free up other court space so that our judicial system can function smoothly with as few delays as possible,” she added.

Union Vicinage Assignment Judge Karen Cassidy said, “We are pleased that we will have a courthouse that can accommodate the latest in technology and security to serve judges, staff, lawyers and litigants.  We look forward to working cooperatively with the county agencies as the project moves forward.  On behalf of the Judiciary, I thank all who have made this critical improvement possible.”

 Netta Associates is the project architect, APS, Inc. is the contractor and MAST Construction Services, Inc. is the construction manager.

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l. to r. Freeholders Bruce Bergen, Vernell Wright, Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak Mohamed Jalloh, Chairman Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski, Sergio Granados, Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Judge Karen Cassidy, and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella