The Cole County Commission voted 3-0 to proceed with plans to tear down the old county sheriff's house and jail and rebuild a new facility in its place.
At Wednesday's meeting, the commissioners also voted to contract with Architects Alliance to design the project.
The plan would create additional office space as well as a 2,200-square-foot courtroom with a 100-seat gallery and added space for juries and lawyers, something judges and commissioners have said is needed.
The initial plans presented by representatives of Architects Alliance Wednesday put the cost at just over $2 million.
A plan to renovate the buildings, costing $1.8 million, would allow for a 50-seat courtroom and office space, but commissioners said that would not fix the county's long-term space needs. The current large courtroom in the county courthouse has space for 74 in the gallery.
Commissioners said if the cost for the new building goes above their threshold of $2.5 million, the project may not be feasible.
The money for the project would come from county reserves.
The new building plan would have an entrance off Monroe Street, office space on the first floor with the courtroom and judges' offices on the next floor.
Cary Gampher with Architects Alliance said plan doesn't include a floor to go above the courtroom floor, but one could be added. He also said there would be material placed on the roof above the sallyport so the upper floors would align with the courthouse.
The renovation plan called for the judges chambers and other offices on the second floor and the third floor would be where the courtroom would be located. The courtroom would be aligned with the courthouse and the public could access it from there. It also would be ADA accessible.
The renovation plan had 2,050 square feet of space for courts and 2,600 square feet for offices.
The new building plan has 3,000 square feet for courts and 3,200 square feet for offices.
Historic preservationists had urged commissioners to take more time, get more public input and come up with a plan that would at least save the exterior of the structures.
Lifelong resident Terry Rademan told commissioners she and others collected 337 signatures on a petition to save the buildings.
"We use the motto, "You Can Feel the History,' but we have to have historic buildings to do that," she said. "Other counties such as Jackson and Vernon have turned their old jails into museums. I think you have a plan that could meet your needs, but maybe not your wants. Tourism is our future since we've lost jobs from the state and industry. I think people appreciate the historic feel of the downtown.
"The 337 who signed the petition may not seem like a big number to you, but when we have a 10 percent turnout in our recent election that number of people can make a difference. They should have their voices heard."
Local historian Cathy Bordner said they didn't believe politicians were listening to their concerns.
"I vote in every election and I don't think the people I've been putting in office are listening to what I feel is important," she said.
Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Hoelscher said this is a decision that has taken a long time.
"We started this back in 2009," he said. "Now we are ready to proceed on a plan and people are mad. People aren't just leaving town because historic buildings aren't here."
Presiding Commissioner Marc Ellinger pointed out the plan takes care of space needs for 20-plus years. "We have a plan here that is being paid for because we cut our expenses and there's no need to raise taxes," he said.
"Not doing anything is not the way to go because we still have to take care of those buildings since we re-did the sallyport," said Western District Commissioner Kris Scheperle. "This is a way to get us out of the Carnegie Building, saving us a lot of money in energy costs. At the end of the day this is the best plan for county residents and use of their tax dollars."
Commissioners said they will eventually put plans for the new building on the county's website, colecounty.org, for public viewing.
Ellinger said they had not given Architects Alliance a timeline to finish more formal plans, but anticipated it would take a couple of months.
Earlier coverage, posted at 11:06 a.m.
By a 3-0 vote the Cole County Commission has voted to move forward with plans that would tear down the old county sheriff's house and jail and then re-build a new facility.
The plan would allow for additional office space as well as a 2200 square foot courtroom with a 100 seat gallery and added space for juries and lawyers, something judges and commissioners had said was needed.
The initial plans presented by representatives of Architects Alliance Wednesday show the cost at just over $2 million.
A plan to renovate the buildings, costing $1.8 million, would allow for a 50 seat courtroom and office space, but commissioners said that would not fix the long term space needs the county has.
Commissioners did say that if the cost goes above their threshold of $2.5 million the project may not be feasible.
The money for the project would come from county reserves.