County moves forward on $30 million judicial center

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

By 2005, Coweta County residents will be able to handle all their judicial needs in a brand new court complex.

That's the verdict from Tuesday night's commission meeting, as the Coweta County Commission gave unanimous approval to building a new $30 million judicial center.

Now that the commission has decided not to renovate existing facilities, the county will start looking for sites in downtown Newnan and determining how to pay for the facility.

Consultant Joe Gardner recommended the board use a combination of funding options. He suggested a 50-50 split between a special purpose local option sales tax and a bond.

While the commissioners did not comment about the funding, they were adamant that any site would have to be able to handle an expansion.

Gardner's projections for the new center show it being at capacity in 2010 and Commissioner Lawrence Nelms didn't like the idea of it being bursting at the seams shortly after it opens.

"That's like putting trailers around a new school," he said.

Commissioner Robert Wood agreed and said the design of the new facility should be modular so that any expansion in the future could fit easily onto the site.
Another recommendation of Gardner's was that all probate court functions be placed in the existing historic courthouse.

But commission Chairman Vernon "Mutt" Hunter said he wanted to see figures on how much it would cost to get the old building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The county is currently at odds with federal officials because disabled jurors have difficulty reaching the courtroom on the second floor.

The other commissioners agreed and said ultimately the old courthouse may serve more for community functions than court proceedings.

The commission gave approval for Gardner's firm to come up with a cost proposal for design and engineering costs for the project.

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