Robert A. Cornetta, first justice of Salem District Court, is absolutely right when he says of the new court complex rising between Bridge and Federal streets: "The impact of this project cannot — repeat, cannot — be underestimated."
Cornetta and Mayor Kim Driscoll delivered a progress report on the project to the North Shore Chamber of Commerce last week. They say the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center will be ready on time — spring of 2011 — and fairly close to budget — $106 million.
That's good news for Salem, which fought hard for this project in order to retain its more than 300-year-old place as the legal hub of the North Shore.
The new complex will house Superior, District and several other courts; and incorporates the 200-year-old former First Baptist Church, which will become the new law library. The building is designed to include the latest in green technology and meet the stricter security standards of the post-9/11 era.
Some observations:
It's critical that the state also restore the Probate Court building next door to the Ruane Center. Now a century old, it's been described as one of the finest examples of Neoclassical Revival architecture in the Boston area.
As state Rep. John Keenan is fond of saying, this shouldn't be considered Phase II, but an integral part of the ongoing effort to modernize court facilities in Salem.
Also essential to the project is the construction of a parking facility at the MBTA train and bus station on the other side of Bridge Street.
Funding is now assured, and there's a push on to complete the garage by the end of next year. But the garage design should include direct pedestrian access to the Ruane Judicial Center.
Once the new courthouse complex is finished, the state will be looking to dispose of the two majestic buildings — one brick, the other granite — closest to the corner of Federal and Washington streets. (Cornetta points out there have been trials conducted here since the time Abraham Lincoln was president, thus the need for new quarters.)
While Salem State College and a local nonprofit have expressed interest in acquiring these structures, it would be great to see them restored and placed on the tax rolls. Seems to us they would make great offices for lawyers who want to be close to the courts.
