Consigli Construction Co., Inc. has began a 24-month $37 million courthouse project that will consolidate all of the city's courts into one building at Exchange St. With governor John Baldacci and Maine supreme court justice Leigh Saufly in attendance, the ground breaking event drew over 100 people from the local business community. The new Penobscot County Judicial Center building will play an important role in serving the needs of area residents and the judiciary, as the 90,000 s/f structure will incorporate a total of seven courtrooms, including one for arraignments, three for jury trials and three for family matters. Safety played an important role in the new facility's design, which includes space that maintains separate entrance areas for prisoners, helping to enhance security for the general public. A structured parking garage below the building will accommodate 60 staff vehicles and a security system will control access to all parts of the building. An efficient phased construction schedule is being implemented whereby site work and pile foundation installation will occur in the fall of 2007 while the interiors of the building are still undergoing design. Construction began on October 1. The building superstructure will begin in the spring of 2008. The design was provided by Leers Weinzapfel Associates.