Oregon Public Broadcasting

Multnomah County Commissioners voted Thursday, to build a long-awaited new courthouse in Gresham. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

The state ordered the county during the 1960's to have a courthouse in East Multnomah county.

And there is a court -- but it's little more than one room in the old Gresham City Hall.

About 27,000 defendants go through it every year, mostly for misdemeanor offenses and traffic tickets. But Peggidy Coffman-Yates, the project manager for the county, says the court is overcrowded and run down. 

Peggidy Coffman-Yates: "I think everyone recognizes the need. I think this is the best time. I mean interest rates are low, construction costs are very reasonable at this point. And if we're going to move forward on this, it's a good time to do so." 

The new $20 million court house will be built on land the county already owns in Gresham. There will be three courtrooms and space for more in the future.

Planners have been asked to present final designs in December.