Satellite courthouse project progresses

Officials from the company tasked with overseeing construction of a satellite courthouse for use by a few St. Joseph County departments said progress is being made.

During Tuesday’s executive committee meeting, project manager Jennifer Sawyer told county commissioners selective demolition has begun and bids from contractors handling specific components of the task have been chosen.

Approximately 20,000-square-feet of the former Three Rivers Public Library is being converted for use by the county’s Friend of the Court and its Probate/Family Court. Total subcontractor bids came in at more than $4.1 million collectively for 27 different tasks ranging from landscaping and irrigation, to masonry, plumbing and fencing.

In all, the renovation is expected to cost more than $6.5 million with a projected completion date of March 2024.