Court-Produced Video Includes Look at Plans for New Banning Justice Center

A video produced by state courts officials includes a look at plans for under-construction Banning Justice Center.

The 3-minute 10-second clip also takes a critical look at why the old courthouse is considered inadequate. The video was produced by the Administrative Office of the Courts, Office of Communications.

The current Banning Courthouse is described as "one of the worst court facilites in the state."

It's "cramped," people who work there are "squished in," and the facility is "overcrowded," according to the state courts video.

Superior Court Judge Jorge Hernandez says on camera:

"The heating, there's a problem. Air conditioning, there's a problem. The smells are a problem. I know that there's asbestos in this building. There's just a whole lot of things that are wrong with this building."

Work on the construction site for the new courthouse is under way, and completion is hoped for by Fall 2013, according to state courts officials.

The architect for the project is R.L. Binder FAIA Architects, LLP, of Playa Del Rey. Construction management is being handled by Gilbane Building Company of San Diego and Providence, R.I.

The total estimated project cost for the six-courtroom, 68,399-square-foot Banning Justice Center is $63.2 million, which includes land acquisition, architectural design, construction, and other costs, said Teresa Ruano, of the Judicial Council of California - Administrative Office of the Courts.

Estimated project costs financed by are $54.5 million, Ruano said.

The new Justice Center is considered a catalyst and complement for other development in downtown Banning, including the planned .

The project is funded by revenues from within the judicial branch, with no impact on the state's General Fund, according to the Judicial Council, the policy-making body for California courts.