Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
New courthouse tower stands next door to old building
The new Broward County courthouse opens to the public on Tuesday. But that doesn’t mean everyone with courthouse business should rush to the new tower.
For three months, the old courthouse will remain open for business next door.
Both courthouses have the same street address, so there could be some confusion about which courthouse to visit to pay a traffic ticket, get a marriage license or file a lawsuit.
“Since this transition is a change,” assistant county administrator Alphonso Jeffer- son said in an email, “it will require patience ... as we move various court operations to their new location.”
Here are answers to some questions courthouse users might have: How do I know where to go? The new tower’s official name is Broward County Judicial Complex West Building. The address of all the county court buildings on the block between Andrews and Third avenues is the same, 201 SE Sixth St. in downtown Fort Lauderdale. But the room numbers will guide the public to the right building, Jefferson said. It might pay to arrive a bit early, in case you’re redirected from one courthouse to the other.
Does the new courthouse have parking?
There is no new public parking for the tower. New on-street metered parking was installed by the city in front of the tower, but assistant county public works director Steve Hammond said it will be removed for security reasons.
Jurors and other members of the public will continue to use the garage on the northeast corner of Third Avenue and Southeast Sixth Street. Starting in 2021, a rail system known as The Wave is scheduled to begin operating, passing directly in front of the
judicial complex, for those who want to park remotely.
A new garage on South Andrews Avenue is for courthouse employees only. Judges will get a new parking garage when the old courthouse is demolished.
When will the new courthouse begin handling payment of traffic and parking tickets?
March 13 is the anticipated date, right after a weekend move to the new tower. Until then, go to the old courthouse or one of the three satellite courthouses.
I was summoned for jury duty. Do I need to worry about going to the wrong place?
No. Jurors will continue to assemble in the old courthouse East Wing on the third floor. Jurors can enter the East Wing from the pedestrian sky bridge that connects it to the parking garage across the street.
I’m getting married or renewing my vows. Is the wedding chapel moving to the new tower?
No. For now, the wedding chapel will remain in the old courthouse East Wing.
What’s getting torn down, and what buildings will remain in use?
The central and west portions of the main courthouse — the building where the main entrance has been — will be demolished. The East Wing, which is connected to the main courthouse and stands on the northwest corner of Southeast Sixth Street and Third Avenue, will remain and will be renovated. So will the North Wing behind it. The public/juror parking garage on the east side of Third Avenue will remain, and so will the Midrise office building adjacent to it. Various court services will continue to operate out of the Midrise, North and East wings.
Which judges and courts will be in the new 20-story tower?
The new courthouse will house civil, family and county criminal courts, Chief Judge Peter Weinstein said. First appearance and juvenile courts also will operate out of the tower. Felony criminal courts and judges assigned to those cases will stay in the North Wing.
Which agencies and services will move to the new tower?
Clerk of Courts services, court administration and some State Attorney’s Office functions will relocate to the tower. Who is moving when? Some units of the Broward State Attorney’s Office started moving into the tower on Dec. 19. For now, only that agency and the Broward Sheriff ’s Office have moved. Judges, courts, Clerk of Courts and court administration move throughout February and March. The old courthouse will be emptied by the end of March.
Are the public defender’s office or the public law library moving?
No. Both will remain in the North Wing.
Can I call or check online to find out if the Broward State Attorney’s Office division I’m visiting has moved to the new tower?
Yes. For the Broward State Attorney’s Office, the switchboard is 954-831-6955. Phone numbers for each unit are on the website at www.sao17.state.fl.us. The reception area on the sixth floor of the East Wing will continue to handle walk-ins, spokesman Ron Ishoy said.
Will there be a public education campaign to avoid confusion at the two courthouses?
The Clerk of Courts plans to post a notice on its website at www.browardclerk.org and at the old courthouse. The county has updates at www.broward.org/newcourthouse. Kiosks and wall-mounted monitors in the new courthouse lobby will help direct people to the right location. Materials given to ticketed drivers by police will soon be reprinted with the new information, according to Dian Diaz, acting chief administrator for the Clerk of Courts. Nakia Smith, chief director of court division one, said anyone in doubt can call the Clerk of Courts information line at 954-831-6565 for assistance.