Deschutes County Courthouse Expansion Nears Completion

New justice facility in downtown Bend on track for August ribbon cutting

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:03pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of the newly expanded Deschutes County Courthouse building in downtown Bend, Oregon, with the structure bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of civic pride and progress.The newly expanded Deschutes County Courthouse in downtown Bend will soon be home to additional courtrooms and judicial capacity to serve the growing community.Bend Today

The expansion of the Deschutes County Circuit Court in Bend, Oregon is nearly complete, with two new courtrooms and other renovations to the existing courthouse building. The $48.4 million project is 77% finished and on track to be fully operational by August 2026.

Why it matters

The courthouse expansion was necessitated by the addition of two new judges to the Deschutes County Circuit Court in 2022, requiring more courtroom space and support facilities. The project will provide the court system with greater capacity to handle trials and other hearings.

The details

The expansion involves constructing a new 60,933 square-foot, three-story building that connects to the existing courthouse, effectively doubling the facility's footprint. Key completed elements include two new courtrooms, a public lobby, security desk, service counters, and staff breakroom. Renovations to the existing courthouse building will be finished in July.

  • Construction on the courthouse began in Spring 2024.
  • The project is 77% complete as of March 2026.
  • Renovations to the existing courthouse building will be finished in July 2026.
  • A soft opening is planned for late April or early May 2026.
  • The ribbon cutting is slotted for some time in August 2026.

The players

Deschutes County

The local government overseeing the courthouse expansion project in Bend, Oregon.

Eric Nielsen

The Deschutes County capital improvement manager providing updates on the project's progress.

Lee Randall

The Deschutes County Facilities Director overseeing the renovation work.

Steve Gunnels

The Deschutes County District Attorney who says the additional courtrooms will increase the court system's capacity.

Oregon Judicial Department

The state agency that appointed two extra judges to the Deschutes County Circuit Court in 2022, necessitating the courthouse expansion.

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What they’re saying

“'Lots of scaffolding outside the building has come down. The site is looking a little more organized and complete than it did last week.'”

— Eric Nielsen, Deschutes County capital improvement manager

“'They will no longer have to share a courtroom with another judge, which has been a limitation on our ability to get cases tried.'”

— Steve Gunnels, Deschutes County District Attorney

What’s next

A temporary certificate of occupancy, which will allow State Court and Sheriff's Office staff to move in, has been postponed by three weeks. A soft opening is planned for late April or early May, with the official ribbon cutting slated for some time in August 2026.

The takeaway

The Deschutes County Courthouse expansion project demonstrates the ongoing need for increased judicial capacity in growing communities. By adding two new courtrooms and renovating the existing facility, the county is positioning its court system to better handle the rising caseload and provide more efficient access to justice for local residents.