The Adams County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to advance a two‑part Justice Center project that will renovate the historic courthouse and construct a new support building across Third Street. The approval allows architects and contractors to begin formal design work, expected to take seven to nine months before bidding begins.
Council members supported a plan to move Superior Court to the first floor of the courthouse while keeping Circuit Court on the second floor. The Prosecutor’s Office and Clerk’s Office would relocate to a new two‑story, 22,000‑square‑foot building that would also house Probation, Community Corrections, and the Public Defender. Representatives from Elevatus Architecture and Garmong Construction outlined the concept and cost opinions.
The renovation of the courthouse carries a cost opinion of $7.6 million, including full replacement of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural upgrades. Commissioners noted that some of the mechanical work would have been required regardless due to aging systems and failing boilers. The new support building’s mid‑range estimate is $13.7 million, bringing the combined project total to just over $21 million.
County officials said the City of Decatur has committed to providing roughly 40 parking spaces to offset parking displaced by construction and to accommodate Community Corrections staff and clients. The project also includes restoring use of the courthouse’s front entrance through a new ADA‑accessible ramp and establishing a single security point of entry for both buildings.
Council members discussed financing at length, emphasizing that recent fiscal discipline allows the county to pay for about half the project in cash without affecting reserves. The remaining portion would be financed through a bond or loan. Multiple members stated the project does not require a tax increase and should not prevent future tax cuts, though the auditor urged caution due to uncertainty surrounding state‑level changes tied to Senate Bill One.
Design work is expected to continue into early 2027, with construction projected to last about 18 months. Final decisions on whether the courthouse renovation and new building will be built simultaneously or in phases will be made later, along with plans for temporary office relocations.
Two motions—one for the courthouse renovation and one for construction of the new building—were approved unanimously, each authorizing spending up to the stated cost opinions.