County officials gathered Thursday at Judge Randy Carney's office to hear a presentation from historical architecture firm Allison Architects on the results of their survey regarding the construction of a new courthouse.
The financial bleeding caused by the county's maintenance of two aging courthouse facilities has long been prompting discussion among elected officials about how to proceed with moving to one county seat and consolidating government and court facilities.
Architects met with elected officials, judges and other county employees, measured existing facilities and matched the county's needs with state requirements to come up with a proposed blueprint for a new county courthouse. The proposed plans were offered to justices as a starting place for discussion on how to move forward, and show a three-story facility with a top "judicial" floor featuring four courtrooms, facilities for judges, court reporters, juries, lawyers and witnesses, and separate secure elevators and holding cells for prisoners.
Plans were presented with cost estimates on three different levels. "Tier One" construction would create a building that would last 20-30 years with fairly high maintenance work because of the use of cheaper materials, but would cost between $190-$215 per square foot. "Tier Two" would create a building with 40-60 years of life with moderate maintenance for $230-$250 per square foot, and "Tier Three" would be top quality lasting materials with more "historical" looks and standards, for $285-$400 per square foot.
Justice Michael White, who has been heading up the courthouse survey project for the Quorum Court, said the court's next step is to review these plans and discuss with both the Osceola and Blytheville communities what is to be done with the historic buildings left sitting should the county construct a new facility.
sspears@blythevillecourier.com