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The Greene County Justice Center in Catskill is on track to open by the end of April. Located on Bridge Street, the center will house administrative staff from the Greene County District Attorney's and Public Defender's offices, as well as the state's Office of Court Administration. It will also feature a courtroom for small proceedings but will not accommodate jury trials.
Construction of the $28.8 million project began in February 2024 and faced several delays, pushing the completion date from October 2025 to April 2026. According to Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden, unforeseen issues, including the discovery of contaminated soil from the former jail's heating system, caused significant delays. Approximately 400 cubic yards of contaminated soil had to be excavated, contributing to the setbacks.
Despite these challenges, the project remains $1.1 million under budget. Groden noted that crews are currently installing carpets, windows, and heating systems. The final piece of infrastructure, a new gas line on Main Street, is expected to be installed soon. Groden mentioned that the state Department of Transportation's approval was required, causing additional delays.
The new center is being financed through a $20 million bond and $8.8 million from the county's reserves. The state’s Office of Court Administration will cover operational costs and part of the bond. The county plans to secure permanent financing once interest rates become more favorable.
The center occupies the site of the former county jail and sheriff's office, which were demolished in 2021. The facility will include a parking garage and office space for justice-related services, enhancing the local justice system's infrastructure.