Bakersfield's new 28.5 million dollar federal courthouse is a week away from opening. Monday, the moving process started for workers as they transfer to the new building next to Central Park.
The whole building itself is simply state-of-the-art, from the design on the outside to the courtroom's technology on the inside but it's the new services the courthouse will provide that'll make the biggest difference.
One of the biggest improvements will be the ability for the courtroom to accommodate a jury. In the past, the court had to move jury trials to the federal court in Fresno, dragging witnesses, evidence, and jury members out of town for several-day stretches.
In addition to jury services, the courthouse will also allow the court to expand and offer new services to the community.
"I think it's really just the starting point of the services the federal court can offer," said Magistrate Judge Jennifer Thurston. "Our probation department is moving in as well, we'll have a pre-trial services officer that we've never had here before and I really think it's the start of what's to come in terms of federal court presence."
Officials also say the courthouse is designed to have a calming effect on people with special artwork and a magnificent view of Central Park.
The courthouse is scheduled to officially open July 16th with the first cases being heard that day.
