County commission nears decision on court complex

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

Residents curious about a new courthouse in Coweta County should have a better idea about the project after next week's Coweta County Commission meeting.

Assistant County Administrator Eddie Whitlock told the commission this week that staff was still studying the various options presented last month.

Whitlock said he was meeting with consultants on the project today and would have answers for the board next Tuesday.

He added the board might have to adjourn into executive session to discuss property acquisition for the project.

The county's staff has been mulling over options to make the court facilities compatible with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide room for the expansion that the court facilities will need in the next few years.

Currently, the county uses 55,000 square feet in four buildings for court business, along with support staff. But according to the consultant's report, the county will need 143,000 square feet in 2005 and 180,000 square feet in 2010, based on projections from department heads.

The two options the county seems to be favoring from past discussions include building an annex next to the County Administration Building at a cost of $19.5 million. This would allow the county to build up enough extra space to meet its needs through 2005 and address some of the handicapped access issues.

The final option would be building a brand new facility, complete with nearly 300 parking spaces at a cost of $30 million. The new facility would be secure and also would be able to handle the growing technology needs of the court system, the consultants said.

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