Update provided on courthouse entry

St. Joseph County officials recently received an update on the concept of a single entry to the county courthouse.
The county’s physical resources committee last month was provided additional details from Bob VanPutten and Stave Jara, representing Landmark Design Group.
A review was provided regarding the security officers’ station with monitors, while the two also indicated all exit doors will have camera monitoring.
In addition, auto lockdown inside the security area in case of an emergency will be in place, key cards will be used for entry and exit by all staff members, and a security policy with a “planning expert” to begin the process and development of a formal security policy will commence soon and be spearheaded by Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite.
Bids for the project are due in April, and a construction timeframe of four months has been identified. Its anticipated cost is $250,000.
County officials last year approved a single point of entry into the courthouse. The access point will be on the east side of the building at a point where the historic courthouse and courts building are connected by a breezeway.