The new Honorable Frank J Guarini Justice Complex (red area) will be bounded by Newark Ave, Oakland Ave, Rt 139, and a new 2-way Central Avenue extension that will be constructed between Hoboken Ave and Newark Ave. Cook Street will be removed. The Project Site will cut through Hoboken Avenue to include the parking lot to the north. Additionally, Oakland Avenue will be widened to accommodate two-way traffic.

The new Justice Complex, designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects, will house 24 Courtrooms (2 Civil, 10 Criminal, and 12 Family), Hearing and Mediation Rooms, Grand Jury, and Jury Assembly spaces. Courts Administration, the Hudson County Prosecutor, the Surrogate, and the Sheriff’s Department will also have office space in the building. Amenities will include a 75-seat public cafeteria, a self-help law library, a children’s play area, and training spaces for staff.

High-traffic elements, such as the Jury Assembly, are clustered together on the Ground Level. The Family Court occupies Level 3, the Criminal Court occupies Level 2, and the supporting Administrative Offices are located above on Level 4. The Ground Level and Court floors are designed so that all public circulation and programs are oriented along the new Central Avenue Extension. Private functions, such as the judge’s chambers and the jury deliberation spaces, are located on the south side of the Court floors and are completely separate from the General Public.

Courtrooms and the holding areas that support them will be sandwiched between the public and private zones. By design, the public, judges, and defendants will only meet within courtrooms themselves. Defendants will be delivered to courtrooms by way of a secure Sally Port, a central holding area located below grade, dedicated elevators, and holding areas adjacent to their assigned courtrooms.