DATE: October 20, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Summary of Proposed Terms for Conveyance of County Property for the New Fresno Courthouse Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve the Summary of Proposed Terms provided by the Judicial Council of California for the potential conveyance of approximately 2.1 acres of County-owned property needed for the New Fresno Courthouse project; and
2. Authorize staff to negotiate and return to your Board with definitive agreements for consideration.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions at this time. Your Board’s approval of this item will allow County staff to continue negotiations with the Judicial Council on the non-binding preliminary terms associated with the potential transfer of approximately 2.1 acres of County property at Fresno Street and M Street. Approval of this item does not authorize execution of any contracts or conveyance documents; staff will return to your Board at a later date with the final agreements for formal approval. The new courthouse facility will be located in District 3; however, the impact of this item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board could choose not to approve the Summary of Proposed Terms, which could delay the Judicial Council’s acquisition planning for the New Fresno Courthouse and related coordination with the County.
FISCAL IMPACT:W
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action at this time. The proposed terms contemplate a purchase price of $3.3 million to be paid to the County for the property, as well as demolition of the Sheriff’s Building and South Annex Jail by the Judicial Council at its sole cost and expense. The $3.3 million payment and other considerations are contingent upon negotiation and future Board approval of the definitive agreements.
The County may incur future costs associated with its responsibilities outlined in the Summary of Proposed Terms, including removal of the 20,000-gallon diesel underground storage tank at the County’s sole cost; removal of the 10,000-gallon gasoline underground storage tank, for which the Judicial Council will reimburse ordinary physical removal costs up to the $75,000 cost cap; construction of a bulkhead and protective work associated with the In-Custody Tunnel; construction of a new central plant and associated utility disconnection work; relocation and vacation of the South Annex Jail and Sheriff’s Office Building; and other site-related activities. These costs will be further evaluated and presented to your Board when staff returns with the final definitive agreements.
DISCUSSION:
On September 5, 2023, the Board adopted Resolution No. 23-288 expressing support for the Judicial Council’s potential siting of a new courthouse in downtown Fresno, and stating that, if the project were to involve County real property, the County would consider proposed terms of conveyance once presented. Today’s item brings forward those preliminary terms for your Board’s consideration.
The proposed New Fresno Courthouse is planned as a 36-courtroom facility in downtown Fresno that would consolidate court operations currently located at the Fresno County Courthouse, North Annex Jail, and M Street Courthouse. The project requires an approximately 2.09-acre site, which is proposed to be conveyed from County-owned property. County is required to vacate the facilities by May 1, 2027.
The Judicial Council has advanced planning and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) processes for the New Fresno Courthouse and has now provided the County with a Summary of Proposed Terms. These terms outline anticipated responsibilities for both parties, including:
• Conveyance of approximately 2.1 acres of County-owned property;
• Judicial Council payment of $3.3 million for the property;
• Judicial Council responsibility for demolition of the Sheriff’s Building and South Annex Jail;
• County responsibilities for removal of both gas and diesel underground storage tanks and related environmental compliance;
• Required easements, including the In-Custody Tunnel Easement and M Street Driveway Easement; and
• Temporary construction access agreements for both parties.
As stated in the document’s Definitive Document section, the Summary of Proposed Terms is preliminary, non-binding, and does not contain all material business terms. Neither the County nor the Judicial Council is obligated unless and until final definitive documents are negotiated and executed. Staff will return to your Board with these documents once finalized. Any disposition of the property will comply with the Surplus Land Act (Gov. Code, § 54220 et seq.).
Approval of the recommended action ensures continued coordination with the Judicial Council while preserving the requirement that all final agreements must return to your Board for approval before execution.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #21, September 5, 2023
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Summary of Proposed Terms
CAO ANALYST:
Mary Lu Valencia