Photo: Members of the Buildings and Grounds Committee continue to tackle space and safety problems facing county facilities. Shannon McFarlin photo.
Paris, Tenn.–The Henry County Buildings and Grounds Committee Tuesday continued its arduous task of developing not only an immediate exit plan for county offices from the courthouse annex but finding the best space for other county offices. And not to mention, finding the money for all of that.
As has been reported several times previously, the annex is in deteriorating shape and a structural engineering report recommended vacating the structure.
Originally the Crete Opera House, the Courthouse Annex on W. Washington St. was built in 1899. It currently houses the Juvenile Court, County Trustee, Register of Deeds and County Tax Assessor’s offices.
Committee Chair Marty Visser reminded board members that time is of the essence and that the committee needs to maintain a steady pace in assessing space needs and finding solutions. Committee members continued discussion with Maintenance Supervisor John McElroy to determine how to best meet safety and space needs, both temporarily and permanently, of county offices.
County Register of Deeds Pam Martin brought drawings and information from other county officials outlining their space needs into the future.
County Chief Financial Officer Pat Hollingsworth and County Attorney Rob Whitfield fielded questions as to how financing could be accomplished, as committee members looked to the possibility of new construction, rental of existing facilities and renovation of facilities already owned by the county.
“We have a lot of homework to do,” Visser said, as members agreed they need to collect data from area counties of similar size and how they solved their own space problems.
The next meeting is set for 5 p.m. September 17 at the courthouse.
–At the meeting’s outset, County Historian David Webb handed out copies of a history of the courthouse and a study of its historical significance.