« Ind. Courts - Civil litigation fee increase for service of writs and other papers | Main | Ind. Courts - Judge rules in Clark County dispute between judges and County Council [Updated] »
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Courts - Randolph edges toward buying former Wal-Mart
"Randolph edges toward buying former Wal-Mart" is the headline today to a story by Joy Leiker in the Muncie Star-Press. Some quotes from today's lengthy story:
WINCHESTER -- Randolph County once again wants to try to purchase a former Wal-Mart building for temporary courthouse quarters.But just as the county council voted 5-2 Tuesday on the first reading of an ordinance to give commissioners permission to pursue the store at 930 E. Washington St., Drew Wright, the commissioner most passionate in his support for demolishing the courthouse, for the first time hinted that the decision could be overturned.
"That could be changed if necessary," Wright told the council and dozens of people who attended the meeting, referring to the 2-1 vote from June 6 that metaphorically put a wrecking ball on the courthouse lawn.
Later, in an interview with The Star Press, Wright chalked up those words to saying "what they wanted to hear."
"It doesn't really mean anything," Wright said, noting that the courthouse plans have changed countless times, from renovations to an annex and, last summer, to demolition. "It's not like it's not a changeable thing."
Still, Wright -- who is the only one of the three commissioners up for re-election this year -- said he hasn't changed his mind. He still thinks tearing down the courthouse, which was built in 1877, and replacing it with a new structure is the best solution. * * *
Two weeks ago, Wright said the owner of the Wal-Mart property said he would sell it to the county for $795,000. According to the county assessor's office, the deed for that building lists its value at $625,000.
Spending that much on the building, when the county expects to have to pour at least another $600,000 into it to turn it into office and work space for courthouse employees, is another big issue in Winchester. Some say that if the county spends all that money in the building, it might as well call Wal-Mart its permanent home. For others, that is their worst fear. * * *
Some people want to ask the commission to rescind its demolition vote; others simply want all talks to halt until May, when Wright faces a Republican challenger on the primary ballot.
Clevenger is opposed to relocating government offices inside a Wal-Mart store.
"I'm not in favor of using Wal-Mart for a government building," he said, drawing applause from the crowd. "The public square is the historical part. I think we ought to work around that."
Clevenger said Tuesday that he liked an idea previously presented by a retired architect and Winchester native, Ken Boomer. Boomer, of Indianapolis, offered a plan last month that he said would allow for a construction project in phases. His latest drawings included a tower on one side of the existing courthouse, to house restrooms on each floor and an elevator, and even a possible annex on the south side of the building for courts.
A third possible phase, which Boomer describes as optional, would be to rebuild the decorative top for the courthouse roof, which was torn down more than 50 years ago.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on March 8, 2006 08:46 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts