Morris County Breaks Ground on $85M Courthouse Expansion

Historic courthouse to be preserved as new 8-story addition is built to meet growing court demands.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Morris County has begun construction on an $85 million expansion to its historic county courthouse in Morristown. The new 8-story, brick-and-glass addition will provide 8 new courtrooms, judges' chambers, and other office space to address the growing needs of the county's court system. The original 1827 courthouse building will be preserved as part of the project.

Why it matters

The current Morris County courthouse complex has become outdated and insufficient to handle the growing caseload, with 19 judges and nearly 26,000 filings annually. This expansion project aims to modernize the facilities and provide the necessary space to meet the county's judicial needs for the foreseeable future.

The details

The new 117,000-square-foot addition will be constructed next to the historic courthouse, with the main entrance relocated to the corner of Washington Street and Schuyler Place. Some disruptions to the surrounding area are expected during the estimated 2-year construction period, including intermittent closures and narrowing of Schuyler Place. However, officials say they are working to minimize the impact on local businesses and residents.

  • Construction began on January 19, 2026 after a month of site preparation.
  • The project is expected to take approximately 2 years to complete.

The players

Morris County

The county government overseeing the courthouse expansion project.

Stuart Minkowitz

Assignment Judge for Morris County, who has cited the need for courthouse renovations over the years.

Dobco Inc.

The construction company awarded the lead contractor role for the $77.3 million project.

Vincent Vitale

A spokesperson for Morris County.

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What they’re saying

“And we continue to grow.”

— Stuart Minkowitz, Assignment Judge (dailyrecord.com)

What’s next

The judge overseeing the project will decide on the timeline for construction and any potential disruptions to the surrounding area.

The takeaway

This major investment in the Morris County courthouse demonstrates the county's commitment to preserving its historic judicial facilities while also modernizing to meet the growing demands on its court system. The expansion project aims to ensure the county's courts can continue to effectively serve the community for years to come.