In a unanimous vote, Franklin County Board has authorized a Carbondale architectural firm to conduct a preliminary study and design for a new courthouse.
Representatives of White and Borgognoni Architects were at last week's special meeting of the board to explain their role in the process, which will be fast-tracked ahead of a countywide referendum in April asking voters for a 1 percent sales tax to finance a new courthouse.
"We will meet with all of the stakeholders that will include the officeholders that will go into the new courthouse, as well as the sheriff. We will come up with a list of all the spaces that would be in the building, how big the space will be, what the security requirements are, who they should be next to, and we will come up with a preliminary floor plan that you can use when you're talking to the voters," said Van Voyles, principal architect. Voyles said an exterior artist's rendering would also be included in the plan, as well as a cost estimate.
The study will cost the county between $15,000 to $20,000, based on the architect's estimate. County officials did not indicate how they will pay for the study.
County officials have estimated the new courthouse will cost $15 million. As part of the sales tax proposal, a sunset clause has been attached stating the sales tax will be removed when the project is paid for. Estimated time for removal of the sunset clause is 12 years.
The 1 percent sales tax is expected to generate $2 million per year. Officials said a similar 1 percent school facilities tax generated $2.3 million annually.
White's principal owner, Gail White, told the board the county would likely need all of the $15 million for new construction and demolition of the current courthouse and planned renovations of the Campbell Building to accommodate the offices of the county clerk and treasurer.
The architects could not indicate whether the new courthouse would have multiple floors or elevators, although they indicated both are possible based on available space. Renovation of the current courthouse is not an option, officials say, due to its deteriorating condition.
The location of the new courthouse was discussed. A location east of the square near the Franklin County Jail is under consideration, although there are drainage issues in that location. And Benton Mayor Fred Kondritz suggested the county consider the former Logan School property, one block south of the public square. That option would allow the new courthouse to be constructed on one floor.
"Benton would be very giving with a big piece of property," Kondritz said.
County Chairman Randall Crocker said that option is not off the table.
"Whatever we do, we need to solve that problem over there (courthouse)," Crocker said.
The architects are expected to release their findings to the board some time in February, it was reported.
