Cambridge Unveils New Municipal Court

The City of Cambridge cut the ribbon Thursday on a building they hope will be a landmark for years to come.

The $3.8 million Cambridge Municipal Court building was officially unveiled. City and court officials have been working on the project since 1991.

"It had been laying a little bit in moth balls for a couple years during some financial difficulties and we put our heads together and were able to pull it together and work on the financing in tough economic times and it was good to have construction for the feel that it put in our town and I think it’s turned out real positive," says Mayor Tom Orr.

Municipal Court Judge John Nicholson says because of Cambridge’s location near the Interstate 70 and 77 interchange, the court sees 14,000 to 18,000 traffic and criminal cases a year. He says the new facility we’ll make handling the huge case load a lot easier.

"Our old building had long ago outlived its usefulness so to be in this new facility is wonderful. I think it’s a much better place to administer justice, much more suitable. The old building really had become a fire and health hazard, so it’s a wonderful new pleasant atmosphere where we work," says Nicholson.

The new Municipal Court building will be paid for through court fines. Among its many features is two courtrooms, judges chambers, the Cambridge Law Director’s Office and a Probation Department.