Final preparations are underway at a new judicial center designed to streamline county operations and modernize court services in Elkhart County. Photo from Abonmarche.

News Release

DUNLAP — With less than a month remaining before Elkhart County’s two existing courthouses consolidate into a single facility, final preparations are underway at a new judicial center designed to streamline county operations and modernize court services.

Located at 1905 Reliance Road in Dunlap, the Elkhart County Judicial Center is set to open in September following more than three years of construction. The 400,000-square-foot building will house 14 courtrooms across three floors, along with multiple county departments currently spread across various locations in Goshen and Elkhart.

Planning for a unified courthouse began more than three decades ago, with formal construction starting in June 2022. The site, situated between Goshen and Elkhart along SR 33, sits on 32 acres and is considered one of the most technologically advanced county-level facilities in Indiana and beyond.

The $111.7 million project was largely funded through bonds. Officials have emphasized that the development did not result in increased property taxes for residents.

The facility includes superior, circuit, family and juvenile courts. Unlike the previous system, where each courtroom had a separate clerk’s office, all clerks will now be centrally located. Additionally, the clerk’s office can be accessed directly from the ground floor without passing through security, allowing easier access for payments and routine services.

Although most county offices will relocate to the new building, some will remain at the existing Goshen courthouse, which is scheduled to undergo renovations after the transition. The Elkhart courthouse, however, will be transferred to the city of Elkhart, which plans to demolish the structure and redevelop the site.

Each floor of the new building was designed with distinct functionality. While most courtrooms are uniform in design, those on the second floor, which will host family and juvenile matters, feature layouts tailored to the needs of those cases, including expanded seating for case participants and support personnel.

A notable architectural feature of the building is a large decorative clock inspired by the one seen in the “Back to the Future” films. The clock’s design mirrors a similar one found on the current courthouse in Goshen, down to the use of “IIII” for the number four, a historically accurate detail used in some traditional clocks.

Approximately 230 county employees will work in the new facility. The move-in process will begin in early September and occur in phases to prevent disruption in court operations. Proceedings at the current locations in Goshen and Elkhart will continue until the relocation is complete by the end of the month.

Public tours of the courthouse are being offered through the end of this week. Tours last approximately 90 minutes and offer a general overview of the facility. They are scheduled every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to make reservations in advance.