[1] The building was completed in 2002 at a cost of approximately $92 million, taking two years to construct.

[2] NBBJ was the architect,[3] and Hoffman Construction was the general contractor.

The facility was built to the city's green design standards, including a green roof,[5] but as of 2010, "struggled to take hold, plagued to different degrees by weeds, a lack of summer irrigation, and the need for repeated replanting".

[6] Other environmentally friendly features include a façade providing ventilation to the building, and a water retention system.

[3] The Justice Center is connected to the adjacent City Hall by an underground waterway, which forms an artificial waterfall in the western plaza.