SANTA ANA : Architect Unveils Courthouse Plans

City officials have unveiled designs for the long-awaited federal courthouse project, a 10-story, $123-million building planned for completion by spring, 1996.

During a slide presentation at this week’s City Council meeting, architect R. Doss Mabe offered a preview of the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.

Slides showed a white building surrounded by palm trees and decorated with marble.

Courtrooms will have 18-foot-high vaulted ceilings and state-of-the-art security systems. Special features will include an exterior promenade and a large atrium with a mural depicting Santa Ana history.

“We couldn’t be more excited about the project. It’s been a long time in coming, and we’re really looking forward to it,” said Mayor Daniel H. Young.

The 214-foot building will be the tallest building in the downtown area.

The 500,000-square-foot project will include courtrooms and support space as well as a three-level subterranean parking garage, said Downtown Development Manager Roger Kooi.

He added that the prestigious project would also stimulate business downtown by attracting more people to the area.