County announces plans for old jail building, other properties following opening of new jail
With the new county jail opened, Greene County officials announced their plans Friday for use of the old jail and other plans for county facilities.
Construction on the new Greene County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) and jail was completed in April, relocating all GCSO staff into one building and opening up space at five existing county facilities. The campus plan proposes to renovate the Greene County Judicial Center and the Justice Center, and construct new courtrooms in both facilities. An expanded single-entry secure lobby would be built for citizens to gain access to both buildings.
According to Greene County Commissioners, the new Campus plan has five goals.
Pave the parking lot west of the Historic Courthouse on Boonville Avenue
Meet the needs of Greene County officeholders
Efficiently utilize space
Consolidate offices on the campus
Meet the county’s budget
The plan is not finalized yet and is subject to change. Additionally, the commission has not allocated any taxpayer dollars to the projects. The campus renovations are estimated to cost approximately $19 million and paid for with bonds issued from the 2017 county sales tax.
Once the plans are finalized, renovations are expected to be completed in two to three years.
Under the plan, sections of the former jail would be made into new courtrooms and the staff from the Greene Juvenile Office and Youth Academy would move into the renovated Justice Center.
The trailer jails previously used to house the overflow of the jail's inmates is no longer in use following the move to the new jail and is currently being disassembled.
"It took finding a way to use space that at the onset looked like it might create a lot of problems for us but in essence it's going to be a great opportunity to utilize that older building," said County Commissioner Rusty MacLachlan of how the old jail will be reutilized.
"This will be getting that group under one roof and in one location ... It gives them a secure location. It makes it easier for them to get their clients and their families in and out of the facility."
The second floor of the old jail will also include new courtrooms and detention space for juvenile offenders.
The campus plan also proposes to renovate areas of the Greene County Historic Courthouse. Once completed, the commission and public administrator would relocate to the historic courthouse and judicial center.
According to the commissioners, the move will allow county government to be more accessible to the public and save money in rental costs at their current location at the Cox Medical Tower.
Greene County human resources and budget offices would move into the County’s
Administration Building on N. Robberson Ave. The information technology office would move into the basement of the Public Safety Center.
“The Commission is pleased to announce our proposal on best uses of existing and enhanced county facilities after working with all officeholders and department heads,” said Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon. “Greene County is working together to deliver needed citizen services in the most effective and efficient manner possible.”
Andrew Sullender is the local government reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow him on Twitter @andrewsullender. Email tips and story ideas to asullender@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: County announces plans for old jail building, other properties
