Old TR library could be converted to court building

The former Three Rivers Public Library is possibly going to be converted for use by St. Joseph County.

During Tuesday’s executive committee meeting, county administrator Teresa Doehring relayed that she and commissioner Jared Hoffmaster attended last week’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting to discuss the potential acquisition.

Doehring said the county is interested in using the building for Family Court and its associated services.

The county’s offer is $175,000.

Over the course of the next month, Doehring said she will work closely with Three Rivers City Manager Joe Bippus to complete paperwork and other related matters so the county can execute its plan immediately after the proposed sale is potentially approved next month.

Doehring said the county’s plan is to relocate the juvenile division of Family Court. In addition, the facility would allow the county to move Probate Court, Friend of the Court and their associated services to the former library and Commission on Aging site, which was abandoned two years ago.

County officials estimate the plan to remodel the interior to fulfill their needs could cost as much as $4.5 million.