SAN JOSE (KRON) -- Construction is now set to start next year on a new courthouse for Santa Clara County.

Money for the new state of the art courthouse is now included in the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

“This is truly a win for all Santa Clara County residents,” said Presiding Judge Richard J. Loftus, Jr in a written statement. “Beyond considerable cost savings, improving services and increasing operational efficiencies, we firmly believe that this new center will create an environment that will better support and substantially increase access for our court users.”

The new courthouse will be built where a parking lot now stands across from the existing courts building.  Officials say building a new courthouse to replace six existing leased buildings will save taxpayers $2-4 million a year.  It will cost more than $200 million to build it, officials say.

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