Ground broken for new Norfolk courts complex

City and court officials gathered Thursday for the groundbreaking of a $121 million courts complex that will replace facilities built in the 1960s and 1970s.

The three existing buildings for Circuit, General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations courts have long been regarded as unsafe and outdated.

The new complex will bring the three under the roof of a 315,000-square-foot facility at the southeast corner of St. Paul's Boulevard and E. City Hall Avenue.

It will have 21 courtrooms with space for three more if needed.

Construction is expected to begin in March, and the main structure is scheduled for completion in late 2013, according to a project timeline.