On Wednesday, Aug. 13, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, along with other parish and city officials, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Judicial Complex in downtown Lake Charles, marking the start of construction on one of the largest public facility projects in parish history.
The new three-story, 108,000-square-foot facility will be located between the Magnolia Building and the Parish Government Building. Designed to complement the nearby historic courthouse, the Judicial Complex will consolidate all district court operations, including family, juvenile, civil, and criminal courts, into one modern, efficient building.
Once complete, the complex will include 11 courtrooms, public waiting areas, jury deliberation rooms, judges’ chambers, and staff offices. It will also house dedicated space for the District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, and Clerk of Court staff. Separate holding areas for adults and juveniles will be included to enhance safety and security.
“By bringing all district court services under one roof, we’re improving efficiency, accessibility, and collaboration,” said Police Jury President Judd Bares. “It will also significantly enhance the safety and security of our judges, staff, and everyone who visits the complex. At the same time, we’re saving long-term costs by reducing the need to maintain multiple aging buildings. It’s a smart investment that will serve the parish well for generations to come.”
“I am so excited about how God has blessed us to break ground today for our new Judicial Complex, which is a huge step forward for our community in providing access to justice. This project has been in the making for twenty or more years,” said 14th Judicial Court Chief Judge Cynthia Clay Guillory. “It is not just about a new building or brick and mortar; it is about creating a space that truly supports ‘equal justice for all.’ I am incredibly thankful to the Police Jurors, Parish Administrators, Judges, Architects, and City Officials for their vision and hard work in finally bringing this to reality. Everyone’s commitment made this possible, and we are all excited for what it means for our future.”
Upon completion of the new complex, the current 14th Judicial District Court building will be demolished. In its place, the Police Jury will create a new green space called Calcasieu Square, and a walkable path through the complex that will link Lakeshore Drive to Ryan St.
The existing courthouse on Lakeshore Drive will remain open throughout construction. To support continued access for all visitors, additional accessible parking will be made available. The public should use the Ryan Street entrance for access to the Parish Government Building.
Residents are also encouraged to take advantage of the Parish’s online services for permit applications, park rentals, and bill payments to help reduce in-person traffic during construction. These services can be found at calcasieu.gov.
The project architect is Champeaux Evans Hotard Architects, and the contractor is Lemoine.
Construction is expected to take just under two and a half years, with completion anticipated in the first quarter of 2028. Project timelines may be adjusted as the contractor finalizes scheduling.
Residents can visit calcasieu.gov/judicialcomplex to stay informed throughout the construction process, see video updates, explore site plans, see parking maps, and sign up for email notifications. For text alerts, residents can text the word “JUDICIAL” to 78015 to receive the latest news and important milestones straight to their phones.
