COUNTY EXPLORING REOPENING THE HALL OF JUSTICE

 

       

 

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:  Tony Bell, Communications Deputy Office:     (213) 974-5555  Cell: (213) 215-5176 E-mail:     tbell@bos.lacounty.gov

             

  December 1, 2009                                                                                    For Immediate Release

 

COUNTY EXPLORING REOPENING THE HALL OF JUSTICE

 

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisors Molina and Antonovich to explore the reopening of the County’s Hall of Justice.

 

A restoration project in 2004 was halted due to uncertainties over the extent and related cost of seismic, structural, and other retrofit requirements rendered the project potentially beyond its allotted budget.

 

However, several factors justify a new and expedited review of costs and benefits of resurrecting the rehabilitation program, which include:

 

·              Uncertainties regarding the building have been eliminated

·              Construction costs have decreased within the last year

·              Financing costs are at historic lows

·              Availability of American Recovery Act funds

 

The motion directs the Chief Executive Officer to report back to the Board within 45 days on the feasibility of reopening the Hall of Justice.

 

Until the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, the Hall of Justice housed County Courts, Coroner, Sheriff, District Attorney, and a jail.  Notable residents of the Hall of Justice jail included Charles Manson and Sirhan Sirhan.  Autopsies performed at the Hall of Justice include those of actress Marilyn Monroe and Robert Kennedy.

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