In a combined meeting the Daviess County Commissioners and County Council agreed to slightly change course on the Courthouse annex project.
After Lamar Architect and Design presented four options both boards unanimously voted to proceed with the investigation of constructing a new annex building on county owned property near the Courthouse on the northeast corner of East Third and Hefron Streets. All three Commissioners and seven Council members voiced concerns with parking and unseen renovation expenses for the Old National Bank building on Main Street. The cost estimates presented by Lamar’s representatives showed new construction coming in at between $7.2 and $8 million while new construction for a similar building was estimated at $7.1 to $7.9 million. Commission president Nathan Gabhart emphasized that today’s vote was not a vote to build, but to investigate going further with the project and eliminating some options. Commissioner Michael Taylor said plans are to make the current Courthouse a legal center while the annex would be home to the government service offices. Gabhart said public meetings will be planned in the next few months.
Below picture is evening view of proposed new construction diagonally across 3rd Street from the Courthouse.
Below picture is proposed remodel of the ONB building looking from VanTrees toward Main.
