91ÊÓƵ

The next steps in the process of locating a new Multnomah County courthouse were approved by board commissioners on Thursday.

The county will solicit interest from property owners open to selling. Their responses will be then be judged; criteria will include proximity to mass transit options, price and central location, said Michael Bowers, facilities director for the county.

County officials are still trying to determine how big the building should be and what it will look like, Bowers said. He noted that work will wrap up in August on a National Center for State Courts study identifying programming needs through 2050.

“The challenge is trying to determine the size of the building – should it be a larger building that that meets the needs through 2050 and beyond or something short of that?” he said.

Once the NCSC study finishes, the project team should have a clearer picture of the exact project, Bowers said. A price tag and a financing plan are expected to be in place by the end of October; estimates are upwards of $200 million.

Results of the site solicitation are expected in November. A month will be needed to evaluate the sites and rank them according to the criteria, Bowers said.

Board commissioners may choose a site late this year and start negotiations in January. That process, which would include an appraisal and due diligence period, would take about six months, he said.

To view a presentation made at Thursday’s board meeting, visit .