Eric Richardson / blogdowntown

The 1925 Hall of Justice has stood empty since it was damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — County Supervisors on Tuesday approved a key contract in the $231 million renovation of the Hall of Justice, a 1925 landmark that has stood empty since being damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

The project was originally approved in 2004, and interior demolition was completed in 2007.

Last year, Clark Construction was chosen for the key $151 million design-build contract that would bring the historic structure back to life, but an appeal by one of the losing bidders delayed the process. On Tuesday, Supervisors chose to ignore that challenge and proceed with Clark's contract.

The renovated building would house headquarters for the Sheriff and the District Attorney, both previous occupants of the structure. A preliminary schedule calls for move-ins at the end of 2014.