Public gets a first look inside brand-new Elkhart County Courthouse, tours all week long

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- Members of the public got a first look inside the brand-new Elkhart County Courthouse Monday.

It officially opens for business in September, following some construction delays.

All week long, Elkhart County residents are encouraged to stop by and take a tour of the state-of-the-art facility.

Groups are taken on an hour-long tour of the massive, 172,000 square foot building, getting a behind the scenes look at all the new amenities and upgrades that make the courthouse unlike any other in Michiana.

"It's not every day that a county opens up a new courthouse," says Commissioner Brad Rogers, President of the Elkhart County Commissioners.

The over $111 million project is complete with four stories housing 14 courtrooms. 

All of the county's court resources are now under one roof rather than split into two separate buildings. 

"The courts of Elkhart County are divided into criminal, civil, and family division," explains David Bonfiglio, Judge for Elkhart County Superior Court 6. "Every part of the building was constructed to meet the needs of each individual division." 

Each division has its own floor and is fit with state-of-the-art courtrooms to meet those specific needs, along with touches of technology similar to the federal level. 

"The presentation of evidence will be really revolutionized," says Bonfiglio.

The second floor is dedicated to Family Law and has rooms set aside for families that need space, and toys for children that need a distraction. 

"We do realize that most people have suffered some kind of trauma in their life, they're coming here because something has happened," Bonfiglio says. "Our whole structure is about trying to help them feel at ease, help them feel safe." 

Part of that safety aspect is a new security screening process in the lobby and cameras capturing every square inch of public areas with security watching. "You're surrounded by technology when you come into this building for safety but also for efficiency," says Bonfiglio.

"We want the system to be intact and to have integrity, and so that's all part of this process," Rogers says.

County court staff are eager to move into their new offices by the end of September and take advantage of the new facilities, especially Judge Bonfiglio, who has never been able to work in a space like this. 

"I've been on the bench for 40 years as a juvenile referee, juvenile magistrate in Superior Court 6, and I've never had a courtroom designed like a courtroom," Bonfiglio says.

County commissioners are hoping the public will see that the nearly 5-year wait was worth it when they visit. 

"It's something they can be proud of," hopes Rogers. "It's a courthouse that will last for many, many generations." 

Guided tours will continue every day this week through Friday: 

 Tuesday from 12-4p and 6-8p 

Wednesday from 12-4p and 6-8p 

Thursday 10a-3p and 6-8p 

Friday 10a-3p

The public is also invited to the ceremonial ribbon cutting on September 5th.