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Court Facilities Study of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Description Guidelines Findings

NCJ Number
85155
Date Published
1980
Length
72 pages
Annotation
This survey of the 67 Pennsylvania county courthouses provides an inventory of existing space, emphasizing functional planning considerations, physical conditions, and historic significance of design.
Abstract
The purpose of the survey was to gather and analyze information about the courthouses and to develop guidelines and recommendations for courthouse renovation and expansion of facilities. Methodology techniques included photographic documentation, field data surveys, verification of existing floor plans, a selected energy audit, and an inventory analysis. The general effectiveness of each facility was analyzed according to eight planning guidelines criteria, including public convenience, history of the structure, architecture, functional planning, physical condition, security, records management, and expansion capabilities. Findings revealed the the 67 county courthouses display a wide range of general conditions related to the 8 categories that were perceived as being crucial to the suitability of facilities. Over 100 charts, sketches, and photographs are provided.