Construction on the new Justice Complex Annex in downtown Toms River is moving forward, with noticeable progress along Hooper Avenue near Madison Avenue.
Matthew Mulkeen, Senior Associate at Clarke Caton Hintz, the architectural firm overseeing the project, updated the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, mentioning that the steel components for the building are expected to arrive soon, marking a significant milestone in the construction process.
The concrete foundations, columns, and slabs have been completed in the northeast section of the site, and work is now shifting to the southwest portion. Once the steel framework is in place, additional work will quickly follow as other trades move in.
Jersey Central Power & Light Company is set to begin relocating a primary feeder this month, while the steel framing continues to be fabricated offsite.
The county has long recognized the need for updated facilities to improve security and operational efficiency within the court system, and this project is designed to address those challenges. The annex will complement extensive renovations to the existing Justice Complex, which has added more offices and courtroom space.
The goal of the project is to create a facility that is functional and cost-effective, with a design that includes a centralized secure entrance and separate pathways for the public, judges, and detainees. This will help solve longstanding issues related to managing movement within the facility.
The four-story annex will cover approximately 155,000 square feet and will connect directly to the current Ocean County Justice Complex, the Ocean County Parking Garage across Hooper Avenue, and the Ocean County Jail.
The new building will serve as the central point for security screening and will feature eight new criminal courtrooms, jury assembly rooms, and holding cells. These additions are designed to improve the efficiency of criminal trials and accommodate future growth.
The annex will also house several court-related departments, including Trial Court Administration, Probation, Finance, and Criminal Court Offices. Additionally, two separate parking garages will be included in the project.
Judges will have access to a secure parking garage with direct, dedicated pathways leading to their chambers and courtrooms, which will further enhance safety and security within the facility.
Public access to the annex will be through an overhead walkway that connects to the Ocean County Parking Garage across Hooper Avenue, which is undergoing renovations as part of the project.
The new annex will also consolidate several court functions that have previously been spread across multiple leased buildings in downtown Toms River, ultimately reducing the county’s reliance on outside rental spaces.
The building is expected to be fully enclosed by January 2026, at which point interior work will begin. Furnishings and equipment will be installed by August 2026.
While some Commissioners expressed concerns about potential delays, the project team assured them that any setbacks would be addressed as the work progresses.
AP
