Master plan preparation for courts building resumes

The creation of a master plan for the so-called courts building at the St. Joseph County Courthouse appears to be resurrected.

During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, board members agreed to resume its relationship with TowerPinkster Architects and Engineers of Kalamazoo regarding the preparation of a master plan for the building at the south end of the courthouse complex.

The county a few years ago sought proposals to select an architect for the same procedure and TowerPinkster was awarded the job. County administrator Teresa Doehring said the company did, in fact, conduct all the initial background work and data collection.

Doehring said the process was put on pause until financial considerations were researched. Now, she added, is a prudent time to re-engage with TowerPinkster in order to finally have a master plan firmly in hand.

Board chairman Dennis Allen said the master plan will help the county with a three- to five-year planning and prioritizing process regarding the needs of the courts building.