Construction on a new $46 million Gallatin County Justice Center, in Bozeman, Mont., has concluded and court staff is moving into the new building, kzbk.com reported.
County voters passed a $29 million bond in 2021 to help pay for the new center.
The single-story building spans 67,000 sq. ft. and replaces a 40-year-old structure. Martel Construction of Bozeman is the contractor on the project.
The new facility houses four district courts; two justice courts; youth court and probation; the standing master; clerk of courts; a self-help law center; a public community and jury assembly room; and a security detail office.
"It'll provide a lot of flex space for other I.T., records, facility personnel, and more flex office space for the county as we continue to grow," Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown told ncmontana.com in 2023.
Construction began in October 2022. Once the court staff moves into the new building, the old one will be demolished. The resulting space will be used for parking,
"It is $46 million; the good news is we have come so far — we are not done yet, but we have come in a million dollars under budget. But we must still demo the existing building," Gallatin County Chief Manager Nick Borzak told kzbk.com.
Borzak said the building is the largest cinderblock building in Montana, with 198,000 blocks.
"The other building was quite old. Systems were failing. Mechanical systems were failing. Not great ADA access," Borzak told montanarightnow.com in October 2024. "Pretty much that building served its purpose. The county used it for about 40 years. And I think when they purchased it, they planned on seven years. So, the taxpayers got their money out of that one for sure."
A public surplus sale was slated for Jan. 25 at the old justice center.
