Shortly before the most recent bond election, The Arizona Daily Star published a guest opinion by former Superior Court Presiding Judge John Leonardo. (Oct. 18: โA cautionary tale: Bond elections might not turn out as voters hoped.โ) I believe it is now appropriate to respond, since the election has passed and the bond propositions failed.
The voters and taxpayers need to know more about Leonardoโs โcautionary tale.โ First, the Public Service Center, funded by 2004 county bonds and county direct funding, now houses the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, constables, assessor, treasurer and recorder. These offices provide valuable consolidated and coordinated public services, including courts, and the building is easily visible and accessible. Unfortunately, for financial reasons, the city of Tucson postponed its use of the facility. We hope that in the future the city can join the county and complete the vision of a joint courts facility.
The county designed and built the Public Service Center to be flexible enough to accommodate the city when it is financially feasible for the city to do so. It may be five or even 10 years into the future, but the opportunity to have a joint courts facility still exists with minor reshuffling of county uses and expansion of a building to accommodate city courts. We designed the building with future expansion in mind, and it can be expanded to accommodate an additional 20 courtrooms on the north side of the building. All of the existing utilities, public facilities and elevator systems can be utilized without additional costs. The seventh floor can accommodate all of the existing and future city magistrates. The sixth floor is vacant, and can accommodate six to eight additional courtrooms for expansion related to county or city courts.
Leonardo discussed the cost of this structure, but he failed to mention a number of items important in the conversation of total cost. As Leonardo states, he was chairman of the Joint Courts Planning Committee. He participated in every decision regarding the design and cost of the court facility and approved every action that led to the actual cost of the facility, something that he is now apparently lamenting. Yes, the courthouse cost was elevated because of a historic Presidio-era cemetery, not expected by anyone. We had a responsibility to treat the individuals buried in this cemetery with dignity and respect, and we did so. The changes to and construction of this project were reviewed and approved by the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee at several public meetings.
The opportunity for a joint courthouse still exists. The county will welcome the city when it is financially feasible. The voters and taxpayers of Pima County would be well-served by a joint courts facility. The present Public Service Center provides valuable important services today for all Pima County residents, and has the flexibility to accommodate the original vision of a joint courts facility.
The vision of a joint courthouse is not lost, as lamented by Leonardo โ it is simply delayed.
