County-Campus development

Looking to the county’s future courts- and law-related matters, St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners is exploring the idea of a county-campus development on the east end of Centreville.

The five-member board during a work session Wednesday identified an area of about 15 acres of land south of Industrial Parkway as a potential location for a courts building and an animal shelter facility.

County Administrator J. Patrick Yoder said the idea is nothing more than a concept to consider for long-term planning. Still, he suggested keeping dialogue open regarding the concept.

Following about 15 minutes of discussion on the matter, commissioners came to the consensus that a cost analysis should be performed to determine whether the Industrial Parkway land or the vacant Finnerman’s site west of town is a more cost-effective purchase for the potential developments.

Commissioners said they recognize that the newer section of the courthouse – at the south end of the original courthouse – is approaching 40 years and the idea of a new courts building should be in their long-range forecast.

The land in question is owned by the village of Centreville.