We're disappointed.
We had hoped the Cole County Commission would use a decision on the future of vacated facilities as a springboard to create a comprehensive, master plan.
Instead, commissioners voted 3-0 Wednesday to demolish the vacant jail and sheriff's house attached to the Monroe Street side of the courthouse and build a large courtroom.
The proposal, estimated to cost in excess of $2 million, would create a 2,200-square-foot courtroom with a 100-seat gallery and space for attorneys and juries and attorneys. Commissioners and circuit judges contend the large courtroom is needed.
We consider the jail and sheriff's house historic components of the courthouse and, consequently, oppose demolition. We concede, however, that planning and building for the future has merit.
That is precisely why we have called for a master plan for county offices.
The demolition to add a large courtroom is another in a decades-long county land grab and office shuffle. The county purchased the Carnegie Building on Adams Street and a neighboring High Street building for its annex, then built a new sheriff's department/jail complex across High Street.
And, throughout that time, offices have been relocated as part of some random game of musical offices, at significant expense to county taxpayers.
Replacing the jail and sheriff's house with a large courtroom will be the most recent incarnation.
During a public hearing, commissioners offered hollow assurances.
Presiding Commissioner Marc Ellinger said the decision takes care of space needs for 20-plus years. And Western District Commissioner Kris Scheperle said: "This is a way to get us out of the Carnegie Building ..."
If commissioners intend to relocate Carnegie building offices - assessor and public defender - to the new construction, is this another stopgap measure? They have said previously they prefer neighboring offices for assessor and collector, now on the ground floor of the annex. Will the collector's neighbor, the recorder of deeds, be relocated to make room for the assessor? If so, where does the recorder's office go? And what is the future of the treasurer's office, an administrative office that remains in the courthouse?
Can the public honestly expect no additional office relocations - including moves by future commissions - in the next 20 years?
The critical question remains: Where is the overall plan? The answer is there isn't one.
The county commission, once again, has reacted to a concern.
What county residents need - indeed, deserve - is proactive thinking.