Posted on September 7, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The Starke County Commissioners are preparing for the start of renovations to the courthouse and former jail building. Bids for the work were opened last night and will be awarded during a special-called meeting next week. Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office and the coroner’s office are moving out of the old jail so demolition work can begin immediately. The Starke County Health Department and Purdue Extension are also relocating from the first floor of the courthouse.
The prosecutor’s office will be based out of the Starke Circuit Court space at the new jail east of town during the construction, with the exception of the Child Support Division. It’s moving into office space on Edgewood Drive next to Duneland Dialysis due to the traffic volume in the office. The health department and Purdue Extension will also be located there. The county is leasing the space for $1,500 per month with an additional $100 for lawn maintenance and snow removal. The offices will be relocated this week so renovations can begin as soon as contracts are awarded.
The commissioners have worked out a short-term agreement with a local funeral home for body storage and are looking at building a pole barn-style structure for the coroner on the new jail site. They’re finalizing cost estimates and will have more information at their Sept. 19 meeting. Money for the building will come from the cumulative capital development fund.
Showing posts with label old jail renovation project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old jail renovation project. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Friday, August 19, 2016
Courthouse and Jail Renovations to Restrict Downtown Knox Parking
Posted on August 19, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The old jail in downtown Knox will soon be renovated into office space for Starke County Community Corrections, Purdue Extension and the Starke County Probation Department.
The Starke County Commissioners took action this week to prepare for the renovation of the old jail and courthouse. Work will be starting soon, and the contractors will need a place to park their construction trailers and equipment. Commissioner Kathy Norem says the county-owned lot across from the courthouse next to the Moose is the best option, but the entire thing will need to be used. Right now there are semis parked there. The commissioners agreed to notify the drivers they will not be able to park there while the work is going on. Signs will be posted, and notices will be placed on their windshields.
The commissioners also authorized county maintenance director Jim Coad to contact scrap dealers regarding the purchase of items removed from the old jail during the renovation project since the county does not have room to store them.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The old jail in downtown Knox will soon be renovated into office space for Starke County Community Corrections, Purdue Extension and the Starke County Probation Department.
The Starke County Commissioners took action this week to prepare for the renovation of the old jail and courthouse. Work will be starting soon, and the contractors will need a place to park their construction trailers and equipment. Commissioner Kathy Norem says the county-owned lot across from the courthouse next to the Moose is the best option, but the entire thing will need to be used. Right now there are semis parked there. The commissioners agreed to notify the drivers they will not be able to park there while the work is going on. Signs will be posted, and notices will be placed on their windshields.
The commissioners also authorized county maintenance director Jim Coad to contact scrap dealers regarding the purchase of items removed from the old jail during the renovation project since the county does not have room to store them.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Starke Commissioners Authorize Renovation Bid Process
Posted on August 3, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The contractor in charge of the Starke County Courthouse and old jail renovation project is ready to issue construction documents for bid in hopes of wrapping that process up within the month. The commissioners Monday night authorized DLZ to proceed with that process after reviewing the proposed scope of work.
It includes electrical and HVAC upgrades at the courthouse, a streamlined entry, tuckpointing, weather stripping and window maintenance, in addition to reconfiguring the building’s interior. The prosecutor’s office will be relocated from the basement of the old jail to the first floor, and the clerk’s office space on the second floor will be reconfigured.
The old jail will be updated to house Starke County Community Corrections, the probation department and Purdue Extension. Commissioner Kathy Norem says these plans were discussed during the planning process for the current jail east of Knox. At that time county officials made clear their intention to use money from the special county economic development income tax, known as the Jail CEDIT, to reconfigure the old jail.
That money can be used to pay for justice-related renovations and upgrades. Norem says money from the regular county economic development income tax fund will also be used. Additionally Starke County Community Corrections has pledged $100,000 toward the project. The county gave architectural firm Skillman Corporation a $3.5 million budget. Norem says that reflects at least a 15 percent discount over what the county has available to pay for the work and notes the county council unanimously appropriated the money last July.
The project carries an estimated cost of just under $3.4 million.
Bid packets will be finalized by the end of the week. The commissioners expressed a desire to use local contractors wherever possible to complete the work.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
The contractor in charge of the Starke County Courthouse and old jail renovation project is ready to issue construction documents for bid in hopes of wrapping that process up within the month. The commissioners Monday night authorized DLZ to proceed with that process after reviewing the proposed scope of work.
It includes electrical and HVAC upgrades at the courthouse, a streamlined entry, tuckpointing, weather stripping and window maintenance, in addition to reconfiguring the building’s interior. The prosecutor’s office will be relocated from the basement of the old jail to the first floor, and the clerk’s office space on the second floor will be reconfigured.
The old jail will be updated to house Starke County Community Corrections, the probation department and Purdue Extension. Commissioner Kathy Norem says these plans were discussed during the planning process for the current jail east of Knox. At that time county officials made clear their intention to use money from the special county economic development income tax, known as the Jail CEDIT, to reconfigure the old jail.
That money can be used to pay for justice-related renovations and upgrades. Norem says money from the regular county economic development income tax fund will also be used. Additionally Starke County Community Corrections has pledged $100,000 toward the project. The county gave architectural firm Skillman Corporation a $3.5 million budget. Norem says that reflects at least a 15 percent discount over what the county has available to pay for the work and notes the county council unanimously appropriated the money last July.
The project carries an estimated cost of just under $3.4 million.
Bid packets will be finalized by the end of the week. The commissioners expressed a desire to use local contractors wherever possible to complete the work.
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