Marion County Courthouse Rededication Ceremony Set

It's been a long time since all of the employees of the regular courthouse shared the same space.

Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - A public ceremony to rededicate the Marion County Courthouse will be held Tuesday, September 5th at 2:00 PM. The courthouse is located at 100 High Street NE in Salem.

Presiding Judge Paul Lipscomb will act as master of ceremonies for the event to mark completion of the restoration of the courthouse after extensive damage incurred late last fall.

Other speakers will include Chief Justice Paul J. Demuniz of the Oregon Supreme Court; John E. Pollino, president of the Marion County Bar Association; Marion County Sheriff Raul Ramirez; and Commissioner Patti Milne, chair of the Marion County Board of Commissioners.

Christopher Millis was convicted today of driving his pickup truck through the front doors of the courthouse November 12th, firing shots into offices, and setting fires inside.

Since Millis remained in the building firing shots and police believed there was the potential that he was armed with explosives, sheriff's deputies and the SWAT team were delayed in entering the building.

Firefighters and facilities staff could not enter to put out the fires or shut off the heating and air conditioning systems. During this period, circulating smoke damaged the walls, ceilings, floors, electrical systems, HVAC systems and nearly all the contents of the offices of the state courts, Sheriff's Office and Clerks' Office.

With assistance from the City of Salem, the State of Oregon, neighboring counties, local businesses and the bar association, about 200 state court and county employees set up in alternate locations to serve the public.

This is a relationship that was potentially awkward, but very smooth due to the established working relations between the various agencies. The Courthouse Annex on Aumsville Highway experienced far larger volumes of people during the many months of reconstruction.

It was a similar story at the courthouse itself, where contractors of all varieties and professions had to work closely in cramped quarters where there were dangers from asbestos and other early building materials.

Employees began moving back in beginning in late May as restoration was completed floor by floor. The county took the opportunity of the courthouse being vacant during the restoration to upgrade old plumbing, fix leaking roofs and windows, and make improvements to security and fire safety. The courthouse, Marion County's third since 1854, was completed and originally dedicated in 1954.

The public is invited to attend the rededication and the self-guided tours following the ceremony.