New Salem court scheduled to open in November

SALEM – The new Salem trial court is scheduled to open in late November, according to Superior Court Regional Area Justice David A. Lowy.Lowy said Thursday that Salem Superior Court is now scheduled to move on the weekend of Nov. 18 and open for full operation on that Monday, Nov. 21.Other courts, Salem District Court and the Juvenile Court, will follow.The new Salem trial court consists of a new judicial facility on a 3.9 acre site between Federal, North and Bridge streets in Salem.It includes a five-story building and will house the Salem District Court, the Juvenile Court and the Salem Superior Court courtrooms on the top level.The new facility, known as the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center Trial Court, will replace the buildings built in the 1800s which now house the Salem Superior Court complex at 34 Federal St.The new law library will be located in the First Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in the country, that was built in 1805. The brick building was moved from the back area of the site to the front without harm in 2009.The renovation project cost approximately $106.5 million to complete in the McIntire Historical District of Salem.