Sen. Roraback, Sen. Herlihy, Rep. Ruwet Applaud Committee Approval of Additional $25,275,000 for New Torrington Courthouse

State-of-the-Art Courthouse to Consolidate Litchfield Judicial District’s Four Existing Facilities

Hartford, CT – State Senators Andrew Roraback (R-Goshen) and Thomas J. Herlihy (R-Simsbury) and State Representative Anne Ruwet (R-Torrington) today hailed the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee’s approval of $25,275,000 in additional state bonding to develop a new courthouse facility in Torrington. These funds are in addition to the $43.5 million that has previously authorized for the project, bringing the total amount committed to the project to $68.775 million.

As members of the Finance Committee, Roraback, Herlihy and Ruwet all voted to include the funds as part of the FY07-09 legislative bond package. The bonding request will now go before the State Senate.

“This is a giant step forward for the people of northwestern Connecticut who have struggled for years with outdated and inefficient court facilities,” said Senator Roraback. “The new Torrington Courthouse will be state-of-the-art, encompassing nearly all of the resources currently spread among the Litchfield Judicial District’s four separate facilities. This project will dramatically improve our court system in northwestern Connecticut.”

“This additional commitment bodes well for the future of this project,” said Sen. Herlihy. “We now have the funds we need to construct this much needed facility.”

“This courthouse will be a major boon to Torrington’s economy, as well as the future economic development and vitality in Torrington,” said Rep. Ruwet. “I commend Sen. Roraback and Sen. Herlihy and the rest of my fellow Finance Committee members for their support of this project.”

The new 160,000 square foot courthouse will be located at 59 Field Street, a site formerly occupied by the Timken Corporation. The Timken site selection was announced in 2006 by the state Department of Public Works, and affirmed by the Office of Policy and Management. It was also approved by the office of the Chief Court Administrator. The State Bond Commission on March 31 approved $500,000 to cover pre-development costs associated with the courthouse. The state is now in the process of acquiring the property from Timken.