County offices move into Campbell Building

Several Franklin County officeholders formerly in the Annex Building have moved into their new digs at the Campbell Building, with the remaining offices expected to be in business within days.
Administrative Assistant Gayla Sink was one of the first to move. She indicated the change in location is welcome.
"It's met my expectations," Sink said. "I know that most departments maybe didn't get the amount of space they would've liked but they realize the county did the best they could with the funding they were able to use. Everybody seems to be making the best with what they've got."
Sink moved in a little over a week ago. Her office is near the South Main Street entrance/exit and located next to the new County Board room, which will be used for the first time Monday when committee meetings will be held, starting at 4 p.m. All County Board meetings will be held at the Campbell Building at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month.
In addition to the South Main Street entrance, there will be two other public access points -- to the north (front of building) and to the east. Eventually, county officials hope to pave the parking lot on the east side and make it handicap accessible.
During Monday's city council meeting, the city approved an ordinance banning parking on South Main Street from East Church Street to the square on the east side of the road.
Personnel from the Regional Superintendent of Schools office moved into the building late last week, and the Supervisor of Assessments office will occupy its space by the end of this week. A date has not been determined for the Elections Office move.
Construction began on the facility about three months ago. River City Construction was awarded the $550,000 contract to renovate the building. The county is using only about 60 percent of the building. No decision has been made yet on how to utilize the remaining space.
"It's remarkable what it looks like now," Sink said. "As far as I'm concerned, it's really nice. We have some wonderful bathrooms here, which is something we didn't have at the Annex Building."
County officials determined several months ago the Annex Building was not environmentally safe for county employees and the public. Officials have not determined what will be done with the property after county officeholders have vacated the building.