In today's world, we often use terms without precision; frequently using synonyms instead of clearly articulating differences.
In Cole County, we are currently debating whether the old jail and sheriff's house are historic, and thus worthy of preservation, or just old and thus available for removal and replacement. Unfortunately, some do not see the distinction between "historic" and "old." When terms are important, we turn to the dictionary.
Webster's defines "old" as "dating from the remote past: ancient; persisting from an earlier time; of long standing." Conversely, Webster's defines "historic" as: "famous or important in history; having great and lasting importance."
"Old" and "historic" are not synonymous.
The best way to address the current quandary is to first explain the function that must be considered and then discuss the actual buildings.
Cole County needs a full-sized courtroom. Currently, we have three small courtrooms and one full-sized courtroom in our county courthouse. These courtrooms are heavily used and present issues when jury trials are occurring. In addition, our courts are amongst the busiest in the entire state, following only those in the major metropolitan areas and far busier than in Boone County (which has more than double our population).
The Cole County Commission has for many years been evaluating courtroom space and our overall office space usage. Now that the old jail and sheriff's house are vacant, it was time to evaluate options for those buildings. Since both vacant buildings are attached to the Cole County Courthouse, they are the ideal location to put a new full-sized courtroom.
After a great deal of thought, the Commission asked architects to look at the existing buildings and provide options. They came back with three options: two involving remodeling the existing buildings (Options A and B) and a third involving removing the old buildings and building space with a seamless match to the Courthouse (Option C). After discussion and analysis, our architects concluded that only Option C will allow for a full-sized courtroom.
Financially, adapting and renovating the old jail and sheriff's house will cost at least $755,000 and will not solve our problem. My vote will be to use tax dollars efficiently to add value by giving the county a full-sized courtroom. In my opinion, a vote to renovate the old buildings is a vote to waste your tax dollars by not solving our problem.
While removing the old buildings costs more (about $1.7 million), that option fully addresses our long-term needs for a full-sized courtroom.
There are only two options on the table: remove and rebuild (Option C) or do nothing and let the buildings remain empty and unused. There are arguments in favor of either position. As elected commissioners, it is our duty to make the best decision for the future.
In conclusion, I am aware of nothing that makes either the old jail or the sheriff's house "historic." They were not built with the courthouse, but instead added later in time. In fact, they conflict with the style and look of our courthouse. No famous events occurred there, and they are not of great and lasting importance. Simply put, they are old, not historic.
As a community we have to look at what is best for the future. We have limited space and funds, and our needs will not get less expensive as we go forward. So we have to decide ... do we move forward and resolve our problems or should we keep old buildings solely because they are old?
Read the opposing viewpoint:
Counterpoint: People who lived, worked or spent time in buildings make them historic