- Home
- Departments
- Departments C - D
- County Executive Office
- Community Engagement
- Nevada City Courthouse Re-use Study
Nevada City Courthouse Re-use Study
Thank you to the community for your valuable participation in the preparation of the Nevada City Courthouse Highest and Best Use Study. Your input has been instrumental in shaping this important study.
The Nevada County Courthouse Highest and Best Use Study Final Report was accepted by the Board of Supervisors on April 8, 2025, see the Board Item and download the study.
Background
In May 2024, County Supervisors took action to prevent the Nevada County Courthouse from becoming a vacant “zombie building” when the local courts move to a new site, which is anticipated to occur in 2031. The Board approved a contract with Nelson, an architectural firm with offices in northern California, to conduct a “highest and best use” study to develop recommendations for the building’s future in consultation with the community.
Although the Courthouse has been in downtown Nevada City for over 150 years, the Judicial Council of California has decided to build a new Courthouse in a new location and are currently in the process of site selection in the greater Nevada City area. Courthouses across California are an arm of the State under the Superior Court of California.
Nevada County has a 49% stake in the existing Nevada County Courthouse and, while the State owns the balance, the County is seeking to identify realistic reuse plans for the building.
Community Meeting #2: Nevada City Courthouse Future Reuses
Jan. 29, 2025 at 5:30 p.m., Nevada City Council Chambers, 317 Broad St.
Nevada County, in coordination with Nevada City, is seeking to identify realistic reuse plans for the 150-year-old Nevada City courthouse building. Nelson, an architectural firm hired by the County, took feedback from the first community meeting (held Oct. 24, 2024) and additional follow-up meetings, and will present several development concepts and approaches. The purpose of the meeting is to gather community input on the development concepts to ensure that the courthouse's future aligns with the values and needs of residents.
Meeting Presentation and Community Feedback
Community Meeting #1: Nevada City Courthouse Future Reuses
Oct. 22, 2024 at 5:30 p.m., Nevada City Council Chambers, 317 Broad St.
The public is invited to attend a community meeting to discuss potential future uses of the historic Nevada City Courthouse. The Judicial Council of California has decided to build a new courthouse in a new location, which will not be addressed in this meeting.
The meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 5:30 p.m. in the Nevada City Council chambers, 317 Broad St. In-person attendance is encouraged to participate in discussions on the potential future uses, but the meeting will also be live-streamed on Nevada County’s YouTube Channel and Cable Access Channel 18.
Nelson, an architectural firm hired by the County, will give a presentation on market analysis findings on the future of the more than 150-year-old building. Nevada County, in coordination with Nevada City, is seeking to identify realistic reuse plans for the building.
Nelson has assessed the viability of several potential uses, including residential housing, office, retail or grocery, hospitality, parking, institutional (museum, government administration, university campus), health or wellness and sports or recreation.
The purpose of the meeting is to gather community input and to ensure that the courthouse’s future aligns with the values and needs of residents. There will be one more community meeting on the market analysis findings this winter. Feedback from both meetings will be used to shape the final recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding the building’s future use.
Meeting Presentation and Community Feedback