WHITE RIVER JCT., Vt. (WCAX) – Construction has been delayed for a major renovation of the Windsor County Courthouse in White River Junction. Tuesday was supposed to be the day all court operations were relocated, but officials say the move turned out to be a trial run.
Windsor County State’s Attorney Ward Goodenough had Tuesday morning arraignments in Woodstock rather than White River Junction, where they usually take place. It’s a change that was intended to last for the next 12 to 18 months while the Superior Court in White River is renovated. But project delays, which the court system says are due to a variety of factors, will send the arraignments back to White River in about a month.
“We are always concerned about generating backlog and that can be tough, especially with the current challenges the justice system is facing across the state,” Goodenough said. He says that the pandemic-era backlogs have mostly been erased, but that the construction changes could cause confusion. “Having consistency is really important when it comes to our ability to address criminal cases in the county.”
The $12 million construction project will increase the building’s energy efficiency; upgrade the HVAC system, and improve security systems.
“Whenever there are this many logistical issues with a move this size, you are going to have little headaches,” said Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer, who oversees security at the courthouse.
Once the construction begins, part of the sheriff’s headquarters will be used for treatment court and family court. State officials say they are currently fitting up temporary leased space for offices and the necessary infrastructure for criminal court.
“Frankly, this gives us a little insight on how the process works and what we need to improve before we really jump into this thing full swing,” Palmer said.
Goodenough says his team will be in whatever court they are needed. “Of course having regularly scheduled events in a courtroom that we are expecting will be helpful going forward,” he said. He says his office will continue to work with the court system to make sure the transition is as seamless as possible.
State officials say now, construction is now scheduled to begin late summer or early fall.