Although nothing has been decided, talks continue about future space needs for Cole County government offices.
On Wednesday, commissioners and elected officials discussed potential solutions.
Western District Commissioner Kris Scheperle talked about the idea he has suggested in the past to move non-court related offices out of the downtown area. Scheperle said he was thinking of the St. Mary's Medical Office building next to the old hospital.
Compared to a plan the commission had last year that called for tearing down the old sheriff's house and jail next to the courthouse, which would have provided about 12,000 square feet of additional office space, having the medical office building would provide approximately 40,000 square feet of space along with 120-150 parking spots.
He said there are also two elevators in the building and it wouldn't take much to get the building ready for use.
Scheperle believed this could help solve many problems including finally being able to put the assessor and collector's offices next to each other, provide enough space for the commission, clerk, auditor, treasurer and recorder's offices and also allow the health department to move out of its cramped facility on Industrial Drive. It also helps with parking issues since the commissioners have not been able to find any potential new sites for parking near their current offices and the courts.
Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Hoelscher and Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman said they would be interested in hearing more about this, especially since St. Mary's officials have said if a potential buyer is not found in a few months, the buildings on the site would be torn down.
However, Bushman and Hoelscher both indicated, as did Recorder Ralph Bray and Clerk Steve Korsmeyer, they'd like to keep county offices in the downtown area, if possible. Bray said the ideal situation would be to get into the current Missouri River Regional Library, saying there would be enough space on the library's two floors and basement to take care of many county office needs.
Bushman said there is no indication from library officials that any move is being considered. However, the library is still interested in purchasing the Carnegie Building from the county, if the county can find space to move the assessor and public defender's offices to another location.
The officeholders asked commissioners if there was any hope for another effort in the Legislature to get funding to allow for redevelopment of the old St. Mary's, which made it through the Legislature, but was vetoed by Gov. Jay Nixon. Scheperle said they have been told there are no current redevelopment efforts.