King County Courthouse: Costly revitalization might not meet county needs

Several mechanical systems in the King County Courthouse are old and failing, which means the County will face a critical decision about whether to spend over $100 million either to replace these systems or to pursue an alternative that might better meet its needs. The Courthouse Revitalization Project proposed by the Facilities Management Division (FMD) would repair aging mechanical systems and make other priority improvements, which could commit the county to one option without first thoroughly analyzing possible alternatives.

A more thorough analysis of alternatives to the Courthouse Revitalization Project is needed to ensure that the County does not make decisions that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars based on limited information. Additionally, the County needs a plan to manage risks while it is selecting and implementing an alternative, since courthouse systems failures could impact the ability of the county to conduct business.

This management letter provides an evaluation of actions taken on the King County Courthouse Revitalization Project to date and overall observations and recommendations about broader space planning issues for King County facilities.