The former Stanislaus County Court building at 2744 Second Street in Ceres has sat dormant for many years but the city of Ceres is interested in possibly purchasing and renovating it for city use.

At its closed session following the Dec. 8 meeting, the Ceres City Council directed staff to look into what it would cost to upgrade the building which would be a precursor into possibly entering into negotiations with the building’s owner, the Judicial Council of California.

“After we put together the numbers we would come back to council and see if they want to enter negotiations,” said City Manager Doug Dunford.

The building, which is located directly behind the Third Street fire station and just south of City Hall, could be used to house one of the city’s departments, he noted.

“We’re kind of squished at City Hall,” Dunford commented.

The 3,000-square-foot Ceres court building was completed at a cost of $65,000 and dedicated in 1969. The building saw its last court use in 2007. In 2008 Stanislaus County turned the building over to the state Judicial Council as part of a mandate of the Trial Court Facilities Act of 2002. Then county Supervisor Jim DeMartini condemned the deal claiming the county was giving it away while paying them more than $16,000 a year while the county was on the hook for paying for earthquake insurance. Although the city was interested in obtaining the building, the Trial Court Facilities Act expressly prohibited the county from transferring it to another agency.

Before he left office, then Vice Mayor Bret Silveira proposed that the city look into building a new city hall. Dunford said the city’s priorities have shifted with a more conservative approach to budgeting.

“Building a new City Hall would cost a lot of money that we don’t have,” said Dunford. “Our City Hall is fine. It’s not all modern like everybody else’s but it’s still homey and fits the needs of our community.”