Justice for all; State, local dignitaries laud 25-year effort.

Byline: Lee Hammel

WORCESTER - Gov. Deval L. Patrick and Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall yesterday lead a plethora of dignitaries dedicating the new $180 million Worcester Trial Court, paying tribute to the efforts of the past and anticipating a brighter future for justice in Worcester County.

More than 650 people attended the dedication of the brick, granite and marble building at 225 Main St., which began accommodating the superior, district, juvenile, housing, and probate and family courts on Sept. 10. The 427,000-square-foot building is the largest courthouse ever built by the state, Mr. Patrick noted.

Several officials paid particular tribute to former district attorney and state senator John J. Conte, who began pushing more than 25 years ago for a courthouse to replace the building off Lincoln Square, part of which was built in 1845, and David B. Perini, commissioner of the state Division of Capital Asset Management, who oversaw the construction process.

The ceremony in the courthouse atrium near a marble cantilevered stairway brought solemn sentiments, such as those of Robert A. Mulligan, chief justice for administration and management of the Massachusetts Trial Court, who said the event was to "reaffirm the trial court's dedication to quality, substantive justice equal to the quality and solidity of this structure."

It also brought many light moments among politicians and court officials who have worked together and contended with each other for years. With a $250 million new Worcester state hospital being planned, House Ways and Means Chairman Robert DeLeo said that Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, a former Worcester lawyer, has long tried to convince him that Worcester is the real capital of the Commonwealth, "and the way we're spending money in Worcester, he might be right."

For his part, Mr. Murray recalled how the entire community - government officials, business people, union officials and others - had to pull together four years ago. He remembered a gathering one day at Sh-Boom's, a nightclub that stood on the property where the courthouse has been erected, that was hastily called to push Beacon Hill when it was learned that 25 years of planning could be in the process of being derailed yet again.

House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi said that the Worcester courthouse in fact "took more twists and turns" than any bill he had ever seen.

The House Speaker, an opponent of casino gambling, also poked some fun at the governor, who needs his support for the proposed casino gambling plan.

Mr. DiMasi called the governor "my good friend. You can bet on that. You may not be able to bet on anything else, but you can bet on that."

Chief Justice Marshall said the cooperation of the three branches of government is "evidence of our shared obligation to ensure that the command of the Massachusetts Constitution that an impartial administration of justice is essential to the preservation of the rights of every individual find concrete expression in safe, clean and accessible courthouses."

Indeed, state Sen. Harriette L. Chandler said the deteriorating old courthouse put the health and safety of employees and everyone else who used it in jeopardy.

As difficult as it was to bring the courthouse into reality, Mr. Conte said that "the real work of this courthouse lies ahead.

It will be the obligation of those who serve in the building to see that the business carried out here will be that of a wise and benevolent government."

Martha P. Grace, chief justice of the Juvenile Court, said there is a Hebrew term meaning "repairing the world," which is what the judges in the new trial court building will be doing daily: "repairing the world, one case at a time."

The courthouse was designed by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott and constructed by Gilbane Building Co., a Providence contractor.

An invocation was given by Rev. Michael C. McFarland, president of the College of the Holy Cross. Rabbi Jordan B. Millstein of Temple Emanuel, gave the benediction.

But Chief Justice Mulligan's opening remarks may have reflected what most people were thinking: "Is this place awesome, or what?"

The gathering: More than 650 people attended the dedication of the brick, granite and marble building at 225 Main St.

The facility: The 427,000-square-foot building is the largest courthouse ever built by the state.

The quote: `It will be the obligation of those who serve in the building to see that the business carried out here will be that of a wise and benevolent government.' - former District Attorney John J. Conte

ART: PHOTOS

PHOTOG: Photos/ED COLLIER

CUTLINE: (PHOTO 1) Guests, public officials and politicians attended yesterday's dedication ceremony at the newly opened Worcester Trial Court. (PHOTO 2) Protesting courthouse workers listen yesterday to Don J. Driscoll, right, a representative from the National Association Of Government Employees, in front of the Worcester Trial Court. (PHOTO 3) Guests listen yesterday to the dedication ceremony at the Worcester Trial Court.