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Thursday, July 03, 2008

Ind. Courts - Randolph County Courthouse plans still up in air

When last we wrote on this topic, it was under the heading "Search for the front of the Randolph County Courthouse continues." Today Joy Leiker reports the Muncie Star-Press:

WINCHESTER -- In response to public pressure, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners next week will once again consider a new option for its much beleaguered courthouse project.
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During a special meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, commissioners will hear from project manager Lester "Spike" Shepler Jr., who will present two new options for a courthouse annex -- in the former Marsh store on East Washington Street or in a new structure that could be built next to the Randolph County Jail.

Both of those options temporarily relieve the pressure of figuring out how to make a two-story annex, planned for the courthouse square, work. The plans on paper, in the works for two years, don't conform to zoning rules and have left the project in a stalemate.

The expansion and renovation of the existing courthouse built in 1877 remains a sore spot for Randolph County residents. It's been the subject of state and national criticism.

But next week's meeting, and the new options, show hope for residents who don't want the annex built on the courthouse square. Don Matchett owns an insurance office across the street from the courthouse, and he's never supported the annex. * * *

Commissioner Ron Chalfant, one of two board members who will leave office this year with a still-incomplete courthouse project, said his rural constituents don't want to spend millions of dollars on a courthouse renovation.

"The folks that I talk to are not in favor of spending a lot of money on this project at all," said Chalfant, who supports the idea of delaying the project even longer, January 2009 when a new board will take office. "To go ahead and push the annex (on the square) forward is a mistake."

Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 3, 2008 10:52 AM
Posted to Courts in general