Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The eight-month project begins in the fall.
COLFAX - Relocating the Whitman County courtrooms to another building became an option to facilitate remodeling.
The concept is to rent a place, such as the old Pullman city hall, instead of the current plan of shifting certain offices to temporary locations in phases.
The idea was discussed on July 19 after Clerk Maribeth Becker suggested it to Commissioner Art Swannack.
"If needed, why not?" asked Commissioner Michael Largent.
"If doable, we should probably jump on it," said Commissioner Tom Handy.
"I think it would be an awesome idea," said Brandy Dean, Whitman County facilities manager. "It would make our lives easier in facilities."
"It would be a fairly seamless move," said Lance Bishop, county information technology director.
Discussion followed and Handy agreed to explore the matter in Pullman.
The $8.85 million courthouse project includes a new elevator, replacement of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, asbestos taken out of the ceilings, lights upgraded, all windows replaced, and new cabling for information technology. Work would take place at the jail as well.
The current plan is to do the courthouse work in phases, with some offices moved and others continuing as normal. There is a concern about noise levels during construction.
For the first phase, the entire upstairs of the courthouse would close for elevator work, followed by half of the first floor for the second phase and the other half for the third phase.
Construction starts this fall for eight months of work.
"If we move everyone out, the timeline might speed up," said Dean.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
Reader Comments(0)