Next step for Broward Courthouse task force: Community advocates

Members of the Broward Courthouse task force can look forward to a new title: "The Speakers Bureau for the Need for a New Courthouse."

During the fourth meeting of the task force Tuesday, County Commissioner Ilene Lieberman told members that since they had wrapped up planning duties for a new courthouse, they would have to go out in the community and advocate for it.

Looking forward, the task force members intend to create slide-show presentations, and hit up events, such as Rotary Club meetings and Bar events, to drum up support for the courthouse. They could continue to meet tri-annually.

The new plan calls for a 719,000-square-foot courthouse with 17 floors, including a shell floor that can be built out when needed. It is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2013, and should provide adequate space through 2020 or 2030. The project is eligible for federal stimulus money.

During the final planning meeting on Friday, task force members discussed the need to move up the proposed timetable.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler contended that his administration is fast-tracking the project, and the county should do the same.

"It seems like we’re going in the wrong direction," Seiler said. He said the project could help stimulate the economy, and it would be cheaper to build it now.

The courthouse project will be presented to the County Commission on Aug. 4. By that date, the clerk’s office also will present how much space it will need in the future. The clerk’s office aims to go paperless by 2012, but doesn’t know if it will still need all the storage space for paper files.