WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
After COVID, a number of false starts, a variety of setbacks and lingering questions by a minority of the county’s board of commissioners, the county courts building project is about to begin.
A budget of $14 million has been set, though its estimated price tag is $12.5 million.
County Administrator Teresa Cupp said the public will see construction equipment on site starting in mid-April. Before that, however, a series of meticulously orchestrated department relocations had to take place.
Michigan Department of Corrections staff members were moved from a temporary location in the courthouse’s basement-level office to an annex on Dean Street, east of the courthouse. Human resources, administration, finance, the public defender’s office, and building and grounds followed in November and December.
Circuit court and its staff, including Judge Paul Stutesman, earlier this month set up shop at the county’s satellite location in Three Rivers, where probate court has been established permanently since April 2024.
About 75 people work in the courts building.
Stutesman’s circuit courtroom was 1,073 square feet. It will be 2,256 square feet after the renovation.
