| BRONX - Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye and Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
broke ground at a site in the Bronx today to begin construction on the
first new criminal court building in that borough in a quarter of a century.
To be located on a three-block site on East 161st Street near Grand Concourse
Boulevard, the complex will house 47 Supreme Criminal courtrooms and office
space for related agencies, including the Department of Corrections and
the New York City Police Department. As an added feature, the Bronx High
School of Law, Government and Justice - a specialized public school for youngsters
interested in careers in public service and the law - will move to a site
adjacent to the court complex in order to give students more exposure to
the day-to-day workings of the court and better access to representatives
of the justice community.
Chief Judge Kaye said, "I am so pleased to be joining the Mayor to inaugurate
the start of yet another new court construction project. This new facility - a
spacious building that will allow for the maximum efficiency in court operations - will
ensure a dignified environment for decades to come. On behalf of the Judiciary,
I would like to thank the Mayor for his continued support and cooperation
in providing New Yorkers suitable, proper court facilities befitting the
administration of justice."
Mayor Giuliani said, "When this complex is completed, it will stand
as a testament to our City's dedication to the rule of law and commitment
to justice. We are helping to shape the perception of our legal system
for anyone who comes into contact with this court. Above all else, it is
designed to ensure that court proceedings occur in dignified surroundings - a
common theme among every project in the City's Court Master Plan."
Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman added, "The Bronx court
complex is part of New York City's master plan for the renovation and construction
of courthouses in all five boroughs and is the ninth new courthouse project
in recent years. The new building will have 47 courtrooms, providing sorely
needed space for this borough's overburdened Supreme Criminal courthouse.
I would like to join the Chief Judge in thanking the Mayor for making decent,
dignified court facilities one of the priorities of his administration,
for which the residents and legal community of the Bronx will soon benefit."
The complex was designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects, and construction
is being managed by the State Dormitory Authority on behalf of the City.
Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2004. |
