Kitsap County Courthouse Project

Set on a 13-acre campus in the heart of the City of Port Orchard, the Kitsap County Courthouse is the regional law and justice center for 267,000 residents of unincorporated and incorporated Kitsap County.

Originally constructed in 1935 with the last modernization in 1978, the courthouse needs replacement and has shown its limitations to cost-effectively improve security conditions, life and safety systems, and technology. In addition, the existing building has severe space limitations which restrict the ability to reallocate existing public program needs.

With close to 230,000 people visiting the courthouse every year, this 90-year regional public facility is critically important to county operations. In 2018, the leadership of Kitsap County, with the assistance of a consultant, assessed existing facility conditions of the building and developed projections of future space needed not only for today but also 20 to 30 years into the future. 

Known as the Feasibility and Space Needs Study, the analysis evaluated the condition of the existing courthouse building, security concerns and site factors, culminating in a series of four options. Cost estimates ranged from $130 to $145 million and were well beyond the county's ability to finance with existing revenues. As a result, a fifth option was developed with a budget directive of living within available funds.

Phase I Improvements

On January 28, 2018 the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, after consultation with other county elected leadership, approved Resolution 017-2019 and selected a phased approach to addressing near- and short-term needs for the courthouse. This includes an addition of courtrooms and offices, along with reuse of the existing courthouse. 

Improvements will:

•  Improve safety and security for the public, jurors, judges, staff and in-custody defendants with separated corridors and access points.

•  Provide ADA facilities to public restrooms, courtrooms and parking areas.

•  Enhance vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

•  Protect the public's investment by moving forward critical and required building repairs to extend the life of the existing courthouse. These improvements will repair leaking roofs, replace outdated heating/cooling systems, improve security and expand technology.

•  Improve onsite parking needs for jurors, visitors and employees.

Commissioner's Corner: Kitsap County Courthouse

Commissioner Oran Root talks to Assistant Director of Capital Facilities, Todd Parkington, and Judge Melissa Hemstreet to find out why the courthouse needs more than a short-term fix.

 


Frequently Asked Questions
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Why do we need to replace the Courthouse?

The Courthouse was originally constructed in 1935 and hasn't seen significant improvements since 1978. With over 230,000 visitors annually, this 90-year-old building is showing its age and its inability to accommodate today's existing law and justice programs. After an extensive review of the structure along with its mechanical and electrical systems, as well as its ability to implement common court security measures, replacement of the courthouse is ultimately the most cost-effective solution of public resources.  

What public services and programs are currently located in the courthouse?

As a regional law and justice center for 267,000 residents, the existing courthouse is home to state mandated programs such as District and Superior Courts, Office of Public Defense, Prosecutor's Office, Sheriff's Office, Clerk's Office, Law Library and county support systems such as Information Services and a back-up 911 call center. The County's 440 bed jail is located next to the existing courthouse.  

How will the Courthouse project be funded?

State law allows Real Estate Excise Taxes (REET) 1 to be used for planning and construction of law and justice facilities. The 2026-2031 Public Buildings Capital Facilities Plan, adopted in November 2024, provides $14 million in funding for 2026 and 2027. This is phase 0 which includes construction of a parking lot. Phase 1 of the project provides for $94 million in funding from 2027-2031 for funding the new courthouse and adaptive reuse. ​

How will parking issues be addressed?

Parking demand estimates were conducted during the 2018 feasibility assessment for all programs at full build-out. The project will include a design to meet parking demands and requirements outlined in the City of Port Orchard development codes.  

What is the physical extent of this phase of the project? 

The initial phases of the project will construct parking and a new addition to the north end of the existing Courthouse adjacent to Cline Street.  This roughly 82,660 square foot addition will add 10 new courtrooms of varying sizes and a secure hearing room, new jury assembly, and new judicial and department offices.  It will also include separate circulation corridors for the public and persons in custody moving back and forth from the adjacent 440 bed jail.

The project corridor is considered to be the county owned parcels bordered by Division and Taylor Street to and Sidney and Cline Street. The County’s consultant was tasked in the Feasibility and Space Needs Analysis with determining whether a new courthouse could fit within this footprint All of the preliminary options presented confirmed that the new courthouse could fit but that additional property may need to be acquired to meet parking requirements.

What does the phrase “adaptive reuse” mean to this project?

Superior Court offices and courtrooms will be moving into the new wing which will free up offices and courtrooms in the existing Courthouse.  The County plans to make minor modifications to the existing courthouse to accommodate the redistribution of those offices and departments remaining in the existing courthouse.

Why didn’t the County choose to construct the new courthouse all at once instead of phases?

The preliminary options presented were estimated between $130 to $145 million.  While the County had bonding authority to sell bonds to fund all phases, it was determined that bonding in phases was a better approach given the County’s REET revenue projections and existing debt obligations.  As other, older debt obligations retire, the County will look to financing the next phase of the project.