FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The public is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony for the planned Robertson County Judicial Center on Monday, May 19, at 1:30 p.m. The event will take place at 73 E. Walnut St. in Mount Olivet.

The Kentucky General Assembly authorized the Robertson County project in 2005 and approved its funding in 2006. The total project cost is $3.3 million. The building will be 9,300 square feet and is expected to be completed in April 2009.

“I appreciate the legislators who supported improved judicial centers for Robertson and other counties,” said Chief Justice of Kentucky Joseph E. Lambert. “Kentucky citizens generate more than 1 million court cases each year. Our citizens deserve safe, efficient facilities in which to conduct their business before the courts.”

Because the new judicial centers often replace older, vastly inadequate facilities, the new buildings greatly increase the efficiency of services and public flow, said Garlan VanHook, executive officer of the Department of Facilities for the Administrative Office of the Courts.

“All new judicial centers are equipped with the modern infrastructure to support data, computer, video and networking technology,” he said. “They also provide the highest level of Kentucky court security through a single-point entry with magnetometers and security personnel.”

GRW Inc. of Lexington designed the Robertson County Judicial Center. Trace Creek Construction Inc. of Vanceburg is the general contractor for the project and Ross, Sinclaire & Associates, which serves Kentucky and six other states, is the financial agent.

Chief Justice Lambert and Robertson County Judge Executive Billy “Hammer” Allison will be among the speakers at the ceremony. Other state and local officials expected to attend include judges, attorneys and the Robertson County Circuit Court clerk. For more information, contact Judge Executive Allison at 606-724-5615.

Process for Constructing Judicial Facilities
Once funding for a judicial center is authorized, the AOC Department of Facilities begins working with local communities to assemble the Project Development Board in each county. This board ensures that county and court officials have input on all aspects of the project, including decisions on the site, architect and contractor. The PDB consists of the county judge executive, a fiscal court representative, the chief circuit judge, the circuit court clerk, the AOC director or designee and a Kentucky Bar Association designee. The AOC’s executive officer of the Department of Facilities and legal counsel serve in an advisory capacity.

The AOC provides oversight and administration of court facilities in accordance with House Bill 734, which was passed by the 2000 General Assembly.

“As a result of this legislation, the AOC created a process that would fairly and objectively determine facility needs,” VanHook said. “Our Facilities Management System has earned the Kentucky Court of Justice a national reputation for being able to identify facilities with the greatest needs for new construction, renovation, expansion and adaptation.”

As the administrative and fiscal agent for the Kentucky Court of Justice, the AOC oversees construction of court facilities statewide. The AOC also supports the activities of approximately 4,000 court system employees, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks.