Plans continue for courts renovation

The long-awaited renovation of the St. Joseph County courts building could be a step closer to reality.

During last week’s executive committee meeting, county administrator Teresa Doehring said a team of three architects from Grand Rapids-based Tower Pinkster met with her earlier this month and toured the courts building and the historic courthouse.

The next step, she said, is for the architects to return and meet with department managers. She said the county anticipates having a master plan in place by November.

County officials are hoping to resolve years of complaints regarding air-circulation issues, a stuffy environment and other interior problems with the current courts building. The addition was put into service in 1974.

Commissioners also would like to see employees in the lower level of the courts building move into an above-ground work area.