Washington Courts: Press Release DetailWashington Supreme Court and State Law Library Moving From Temple of Justice for Two-Year RenovationJune 27, 2022
The Washington Supreme Court and State Law Library will move their offices out of the Temple of Justice on the Capitol Campus in Olympia beginning the first week of July, in advance of a two-year renovation of the 109-year-old building. State lawmakers approved funding for the needed structural upgrades in 2021. The Supreme Court and Library will relocate to leased space in Tumwater, which is being configured for use. Staff members will work remotely until the space is ready. Public library and courtroom spaces are scheduled to be completed and open in late Fall. The State Law Library has begun moving and will not be available for reference services — phone and email questions and curbside exchanges — for two weeks. Library staff will be able to resume services July 8. Access to all Supreme Court hearings, filing ability and information will continue to be fully available through web, phone and mail services as they have been since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, when the Temple of Justice closed to in-person services. The building was scheduled to reopen to the public in Fall, 2021 before another pandemic wave required the plan to be postponed. It is anticipated the Temple of Justice will reopen following completed renovations in Spring, 2024. “During the pandemic, we have learned to be flexible and to work remotely,” said Chief Justice Steven González. “These lessons will help us as we work through these important and overdue renovations to the Temple of Justice so we have a safe place for the public and staff.” The Supreme Court will resume in-person oral arguments September 13 in temporary courtroom space in the Cherberg Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia, though space will be limited. All oral arguments continue to be livestreamed and recorded by TVW. The Court will also travel to Gonzaga University in October for its first “travelling court” visit since February, 2020. The visit will include public oral arguments as well as question-and-answer sessions with the justices. The Temple of Justice is located on the Capitol Campus in Olympia and began construction in 1912, the first state capitol building to be constructed. Renovations will replace aged heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, as well as lighting and plumbing systems throughout the building. The project will cost approximately $33.5 million. “We appreciate the members of the Legislature supporting important structural upgrades for this historic building, which have been needed for some time,” said Justice Debra Stephens, chair of the Supreme Court Facilities and Security Committee. “And we also appreciate the hard work of Temple staff members, whose flexibility and ingenuity have maintained access and responsiveness during the challenges of the pandemic and now a significant move.” Web site and contact information for the offices of the Washington Supreme Court and State Law Library include:
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