Orange County has accepted a state ultimatum to create two new courtrooms for displaced Supreme Court justices in space that is now being used for Family Court waiting areas, County Executive Edward Diana said yesterday. Mr. Diana’s comments came after a sharply worded letter from the court system indicating that it was running out of patience with the county’s response to flooding that closed the County Government Center—including six courtrooms—in September.
The new courtrooms and other adjustments to free up space in an open county courthouse annex represent an emergency measure. Mr. Diana said the plan backed by the state is “certainly reasonable” (NYLJ, Nov. 30). He estimated that the temporary fix would cost about $25,000 and should be ready by next month. He said the changes would buy the county at least two years to scope out more permanent solutions, such as a new addition to the existing courthouse annex.
