The roof of Portsmouth's Circuit Court leaks rainwater into the attic, where ceiling tiles rot and asbestos insulation is loosened, creating the potential for a health hazard.
Across the Elizabeth River, everything from the elevators to the witness microphones in Norfolk's Circuit Court is broken. In the space-squeezed General District Court, clerks store case information in locked file cabinets in the hallways.
Now, just as both cities are poised to jettison their aging courts in favor of fresh new buildings, financial worries have some city leaders questioning the plans.
In Portsmouth, a $45 million Circuit Court project may be in jeopardy because it could create dangerous levels of debt for the city. The same fiscal pressures are felt in Norfolk, where the capital improvements budget is overloaded and the upcoming year's budget already has a shortfall of $18.6 million.
In both cities, some council members are urging their cohorts to stay the course. But particularly in Portsmouth, a few have begun to question whether the expense is worth it, given the long list of other work that needs to get done.
"What do you do, spend your money on something that's going to produce more money or put all of it on a project that's going to be off the tax rolls?" said Portsmouth City Councilman Bill Moody Jr.
Moody and several other council members are interested in looking at a renovation of the existing Circuit Court rather than a new building, he said. That's a possibility the council rejected two years ago after studying costs and how long a renovated building would last.
But now, with city funds tapped out, "If we can renovate the current one and save $20 million, $25 million, that's a lot of money," Moody said.
And although the rest of his council may not agree, Norfolk Councilman W. Randy Wright believes his city's $100 million project to combine three courts into a single complex "needs to go back on the table along with everything else."
"With the change in the economy, with the state cutting back, I think we need to find another way to do a meaningful, lesser version of the courthouse," he said.
For Wright, other priorities, including the construction of a new Crossroads Elementary School, need to jump ahead of the courthouse.
"I know the courthouse is important," he said. "But it's important to fewer people than other projects.
"I think students sitting at Crossroads who have to cover computers when it rains should rate right there with the courthouse."
Five years ago, Norfolk paid nearly $57 million in annual debt service. That amount has ballooned in the wake of recent projects, from the construction of a cruise ship terminal and convention center to a new library and two neighborhood recreation centers.
In the fiscal year that ends in June, the annual debt service will be $134 million, according to the budget.
The cities face a dilemma. Inaction could lead to a lawsuit from judges who say they've waited long enough and are working in a potentially dangerous situation. In both cities, deputies bring inmates to court in the same hallways used by the public and judges, a security concern to witnesses, judges and court staff.
Despite Wright's comments, the majority of Norfolk's council still believes that the city's three courts buildings - all at least four decades old - need to be replaced.
"Our courts aren't safe," Vice Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot said. "We're lucky we haven't been sued yet. We should not delay this project."
Putting the courts first may mean other municipal spending will have to go on the back burner.
In Portsmouth, projections released last week showed that
if the city pushes ahead with the courthouse and its other eight major projects, including the
expansion of the Children's Museum of Virginia and road projects in Midtown and around Victory, it could be as much as $7 million over its debt limit by 2011.
Council members said this year, every project - even those the city considers most important - must be examined.
"We want to do them all, but we have to be realistic," Vice Mayor Marlene Randall said.
Staff writer Michelle Washington contributed to this report.
Meghan Hoyer, (757) 446-2293, meghan.hoyer@pilotonline.com
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371,harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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Priorities
It seems as if those writing about these issues have a myopic view of the economics of local markets. The purpose for funding these public-private partnerships such as the Children's Museum and recreational centers is that the public contribution would be offset by the revenue it would generate in tax dollars. If it were not for the government's contribution to these endeavors, then there would be no revenue-generating facilities. Moreover, public safety does not exist in a vacuum. The salaries toward teachers (for better education), police officers (for public safety), etc. come from tax dollars which come from revenue generated by these public-private partnerships.
The problem with courthouse construction is that there is no economic incentive for the city to construct a courthouse except to, as the article indicates, avoid a potential lawsuit.
Public Safety is Government's Primary Function!
This is just one more example of local government’s inability to prioritize. The number one function of government is public safety . . . not expansion of the “children’s museum.” Let the private sector expand the children’s museum. Why should the tax payers pay for that?? If these city governments would get their priorities straight and clean up the crime in their cities, private money would come pouring in, but no these officials want to be Donald Trump with the tax payer’s money. Throw the bums out and get leaders that understand that government’s proper function is public safety not subsidizing private developers!!
BUT THE CITIZENS REALLY LIKE THEIR NEW REC CENTERS
So by building 2 new rec centers, the new cruise terminal and handing out millions in incentives to private corporations for downtown hotels and condos the city of Norfolk cannot afford a new court complex? Is it any wonder why the people are unhappy with the city leadership? Portsmouth is doing virtually the same. Priorities, now there is a concept.
Response to "Redundant"
dokein- Consolidating the courts into one building is not an issue of "swallowing" their pride. It is about jurisdiction. In interpreting the Virginia Constitution, the VA Supreme Court held, inter alia, that a court within a particular municipal jurisdiction could not straddle the line between city and county. Because Portsmouth and Norfolk are separate and independent cities, it is likely that such an arrangement you propose would not be constitutional under Virginia law. From a pragmatic perspective, it is also not feasible. Even though the two courthouses are across the river from each other, a normal commute from one courthouse to another may take as long as 30 to 45 minutes.
Response to "Cry Babies!"
rayr78093- Computerized filing would exceed the costs of remodeling in spite of the fact that the VA Supreme Court rules requiring paper filings. Your proposal, even if it were adopted, would not decrease the amount of documents the court takes in. Moreover, there are also security issues, privacy concerns, and the threat of lost data that prevents most jurisdictions throughout the country to adopt an exclusively electronic system. Storage sites are impracticable because of the necessity to quickly access files and the government mandate to keep them accessible to the public. Lastly, if you read the article over again, there are several valid reasons why the courts cannot be used for another 10 two 20 years, e.g. the threat of asbestos, health hazards, dangerous conditions that may actually result in lawsuits filed by its employees.
There is a solution
Hey I know, let's raise taxes, that'll get it done. And at the same time, increase real estate taxes on homeowners. That'll get them the money they need. Idiots! Have you ever thought of reducing spending elsewhere? Maybe if you people were actually elected to your office positions and had 4 year term limits, something would get done. People would clamor for those office positions and actually get things done because they wouldn't have to worry about not getting re-elected if they went out on a limb to accomplish something. They would actually have to worry about their integrity because it would affect whatever career they have when they leave office. In my opinion, no term limits at every level throughout this country is what prevents government from accomplishing anything. Career politicians are only looking out for themselves.
Court Plans
Maybe one thing that the City leaders in Portsmouth should look into is that the Fire and Police retirement fund is UNDERFUNDED by $110 million dollars!
Cry babies!
Most of these problems could be taken care of by innovation and some remodeling. Files in the hallway! Most of the old files should be computerized, and/or rent a secure storage site that can be accessed if needed. Find another way to get the prisoners to court, etc etc.
I've been in the Norfolk court buildings many times. There's no reason these buildings can't be used another 10 or 20 years. It's always nice to upgrade and move into a bigger and better house. However, when money is short remodel, renovate, compromise, and make due. Quit crying!
redundant
Does anyone else find it ridiculous for two cities to spend a total of $145 million on two brand new courthouses just across the river from each other? How about sharing one bigger courthouse and saving everyone some money? Think of all the offices, equipment, and institutions duplicated by each little city in this area, not to mention the competing tax incentives they use to lure businesses from one city to another and back again. Think of how much money could be saved if some of the cities in this area could swallow their pride and merge together. If the cities costs keep on skyrocketing as the taxpayers' pockets keep getting shallower, no one will be able to afford to live in a Balkanized Hampton Roads.