LAKEPORT, Calif. – Preliminary plans for the proposed new Lakeport courthouse are on schedule to go before a state board for approval in late spring.

The 50,000-square-foot, $56 million courthouse – the features of which will include four courtrooms, space for records and court-related services – will be built at 675 Lakeport Blvd., just below Vista Point. It’s funded by Senate Bill 1407.

The Lake County Superior Court's main division in Lakeport is located on the fourth floor of the Lake County Courthouse, located at 255 N. Forbes St.

Safety concerns and limited space in the court’s current location resulted in the state placing the new courthouse on a short list of critical projects.

Last year concerns arose about the building potentially blocking Vista Point’s views of Clear Lake and Mt. Konocti, which led to consideration of a new site configuration.

Recently released renderings of the building show it being designed to hug the hillside. The project team with Forell/Elsesser Engineers Inc., working with architecture firm Mark Cavagnero Associates, had to revise its design to accommodate varying soil consistencies.

The architectural renderings are just an initial look, said Theresa Ruano of the Judicial Council of California’s Administrative Office of the Courts.

A more detailed look isn’t yet ready to be released, and Ruano added, “For security reasons we don’t release detailed floor plans.”

She said the state is aiming to have the first phase of design, or preliminary plans, completed in time to go to the State Public Works Board June 8.

If approved, the project would then move into its second phase, called working drawings, Ruano explained.

At the same time, the budget process is taking place, and that will determine the project’s future, she said.

While the budget is a concern, Ruano said everything regarding the Lakeport courthouse project appears to be on track.

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