Whistleblower: Old Courthouse Suitable for County Use, Demolition Unnecessary
- Elisa Ballard
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Redding, CA — A whistleblower with direct knowledge of the Old Courthouse at 1500 Court Street in Redding has come forward anonymously, asserting that the building remains suitable for immediate use by Shasta County departments that currently spend substantial sums on leased space. Rather than proceed with demolition — the current plan — the whistleblower argues the facility is usable despite what they describe as fear-mongering by the County’s Public Works Department. Former Shasta County Supervisor Patrick Jones agrees with the whistleblowers’ assessment.
The whistleblower questions the motivation behind tearing down a county-owned building. Could it be to protect Redding elites who own properties currently leased to the County? County Director of Public Works Troy Bartolomei, who recently retired, appears to have been the driving force behind declaring the Old Courthouse no longer suitable for any use.
According to the whistleblower:
Condition, Readiness, and Assets of the Courthouse
The courthouse has been modernized and is ready for immediate occupancy. Upgrades include a fire suppression system, ADA-compliant and gender-neutral restrooms, functional elevators, and a mixed chiller/boiler HVAC system. Desks, furniture, X-ray/security equipment, phones, and telecom infrastructure remain in place, making it turnkey for repurposing.
Asbestos is present, as in many older buildings, but is considered non-hazardous if undisturbed. Much of the asbestos in the Old Courthouse has reportedly been abated. The County currently leases buildings with asbestos with no current problems.
A prior HVAC incident after the courts moved out resulted in a condensation tray overflow and water damage. Insurance funded $100,000 in repairs, which were completed promptly. Historical vulnerabilities (e.g., a failed chiller that required a temporary external unit) have since been addressed with replacements and improvements, including a roof swamp cooler for pre-cooling.
Maintenance needs are ongoing due to HVAC complexity: water chemistry is treated regularly to prevent corrosion and valve lockups, seasonal adjustments are managed via ceiling-mounted units and controllable valves, and condensation must be monitored.
The building is structurally sound, does not require major systems upgrades such as a new roof or plumbing, and could house agencies immediately. Four-foot-thick walls and quality construction (terrazzo floors, in-wall water-saving toilets) demonstrate its durability.
Demolition is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible. The whistleblower advocates repurposing the courthouse for the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and other County services. Benefits include eliminating leases (e.g., downtown mall and California Street), consolidating security across fewer sites, reducing fuel/vehicle costs, and enabling staff to walk between centrally located facilities.
Estimated annual savings could reach millions when factoring in leases, operations, and maintenance efficiencies. Modest upgrades (on the order of approximately $100,000 for certain updates) would be far cheaper than demolition.
The courthouse’s existing security (key card system, separable locked areas) matches HHSA needs and would reduce downtown congestion. Consolidation could also relocate functions such as the law library and rationalize departmental placements (e.g., Probation closer to Juvenile Hall, Sheriff nearer the jail).
There has been some recent damage to the building caused by the contractor brought in by the Public Works Department to assess for asbestos.
The old jail, which is adjacent to the Old Courthouse, was built in the 1930s and should be torn down because it is falling apart, though some seek to preserve it for historical reasons. If it were torn down, the site could be used for parking for the repurposed Old Courthouse.
The whistleblower criticizes maintenance stipend practices: staff allegedly receive hazard stipends (e.g., for asbestos or jail work) even though the County no longer performs asbestos abatement in-house, thereby increasing costs without commensurate work.
County's Leasing Costs are Substantial
The County is currently leasing many buildings in the general downtown Redding area, including:
1405, 1415, 1421, and 1423 Court St. ($8,406/mo for 6,460 sq. ft.)
1647 Court St. ($8,951/mo for 6,394 sq. ft.)
1313 Yuba St. ($12,322/mo for 13,500 sq. ft.)
1643 Market St. ($16,803/mo for 13,000 sq. ft.)
The above figures are based on a review of the County Board of Supervisors' meeting agenda packets over the past year. There are likely many more examples of county-leased office space, which Shasta Unfiltered will continue to investigate when time permits. The Old Courthouse has approximately 77,000 square feet of usable space.
According to the whistleblower, the County Board of Supervisors made the decision based on faulty data or political reasons. There is no good explanation for the demolition of the building and its contents. According to the whistleblower, historical records located in the building should be preserved.
An independent feasibility study could validate the assertions of this knowledgeable whistleblower.
Shasta Unfiltered will continue to monitor developments regarding County facilities and leases. We welcome additional verified information from the public as we pursue transparency and accountability in local government decisions.
