County Board Studies 2 Court House Plans

Plans for construction of a new County Court House and remodeling and additions to the present structure were presented to the County Board Wednesday.

The 2 plans were handed to the Board as a result of an architectural survey carried on at the Court House duing the past several weeks.

County Board will study both plans and adopt one to submit to the legislature.

ARCHITECTS estimated that cost of erecting a new fire-proof court house on the present site will total $918,214.

Estimated cost of remodeling the present building and constructing additions was figured at $889,831 by the architects.

The architects pointed out that the cost difference between the 2 projects would only be $28,383. They added that remodeling of the present building would present many architectural and other difficulties.

THE PLAN FOR a new building calls for a 2-story structure with all county and circuit court rooms on the second floor. Two courtrooms would be constructed and the second floor reached by elevators. The remodeling plan calls for only one courtroom and does not have many features which would be included in a new building.

The architectural committeemen also recommended that the main office of the county supervisor now locatd on Bobo Street be moved to the County Farm. The supervisor would then establish a small office in the Court House.

Recommendations included construction of an Agricultural Building for housing offices of the district and county farm agents, now in the Post Office Building. Production and Marketing Administration officials would also set up offices in the Agricultural Building. PMA headquarters are now on St. John Street.

THE ARCHITECTS' recommendations said that a detention home - separate from the Court House - should be constructed.

Speaking of County Jail, the committeemen said the sheriff and rural police headquarters should be separated from the jail. the committee termed the sheriff's office quarters in the jail as "inadequate and very hazardous."

Plans handed to County Board Wednesday are only tentative. Official plans will be drawn after the board announces its selection.