COEUR d’ALENE — Dozens gathered Thursday afternoon at the Kootenai County Justice Building on Garden Avenue for the grand opening of the expanded courthouse.

Construction on the addition began in September 2023. The four-level, 60,000-square-foot expansion includes three large courtrooms, chambers for judges and space for court staff, security and law enforcement, as well as holding cells for in-custody defendants. The Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will also be housed in the expanded building, on the third floor. 

“These spaces represent not only growth in our capacity, but growth in our commitment to access and timely justice for the people of North Idaho,” said Lisa Chesebro, trial court administrator for the First Judicial District. 

Kootenai County Commissioner Leslie Duncan and former commissioner Chris Fillios championed the Justice Building expansion. 

“They’re the ones who had the vision for this county to have a new courthouse,” Commissioner Bruce Mattare said. 

Duncan said talks for an expanded courthouse began six years ago. At that time, no new court space had been created since 2009 and the county was already feeling the pinch. With more district and magistrate judges, more court staff and a growing population, Duncan said Kootenai County needed a Justice Building that could serve its needs. 

Duncan expressed thanks to the many people who contributed to the project over several years, including the American Rescue Plan Act task force, which recommended that Kootenai County allocate $22 million in federal funds to the expansion. Without those funds, Duncan said, the county might still be struggling to fund the project. 

“I dedicate this expansion to the citizens of Kootenai County for their happy occasions like adoption and doing justice for victims,” she said. 

Duncan became emotional as she walked through the building with members of the public. She summed up the feeling of seeing the yearslong project come to fruition in a single word. 

“Overwhelming,” she said. 

One of the new courtrooms will be used by the Idaho Supreme Court. 

“This presence in Kootenai County is historic and symbolizes a powerful connection between the state’s highest court and the communities it serves,” Chesebro said. 

Idaho Supreme Court Justice Cynthia Meyer delivered remarks in the new courtroom. Before Idaho Gov. Brad Little appointed Meyer to the state’s highest court in 2023, Meyer served as a judge in the First Judicial District, which includes Kootenai County. 

“The judicial branch does have a heavy burden and a heavy responsibility to handle many of the tragedies of life,” she said. “We need court facilities that reflect the seriousness of the mission and that work well and efficiently. This building will do these things. I’m thankful for it, but I’m really thrilled for all of you who do hard things and work hard to see that justice is done.”