ADAMS COUNTY, Ind. — After years of discussion, Adams County leaders appear closer than ever to settling on a direction for the Justice Center project, with commissioners now focusing on a downtown “hybrid” plan that blends courthouse rehabilitation with targeted new construction.
During the May 6 Commissioners meeting, officials outlined a developing option that would move Superior Court into the existing historic courthouse while constructing a smaller building on Third Street for the Clerk and Prosecutor’s offices. Commissioner Doug Bauman said he met with project consultant Dave and several department heads on May 5 to review early drafts of the revised layout. A preliminary version was expected to be shared with the board later that same day, marking one of the most concrete steps forward in months.
County officials have previously cited a $17 million base estimate, which includes design and engineering work. With soft costs and contingencies added, the county’s working estimate remains about $25 million. One completed feasibility study — costing $20,000 — has helped shape the current options, and a second study is now being prepared to evaluate whether the hybrid plan can be fully accommodated downtown or whether the county should instead refurbish the existing courthouse and relocate support offices. The cost of that new study has not yet been finalized.
Using Census data showing roughly 13,600 households in Adams County, a full $25 million project would equate to about $1,838 per household. The figure is a simple cost‑per‑household calculation and does not reflect how the county might structure financing or repayment.
The City of Decatur has expressed strong support for keeping judicial functions downtown. The city attorney told commissioners the city is already reviewing potential parking solutions for the proposed Third Street site, signaling a willingness to partner on the project if the county moves forward with the hybrid plan.
Commissioner Stan Stoppenhagen said he hopes the county can make a “major decision” within the next month. Doug Bauman said commissioners expect more detailed information in the next week or two as consultants refine the layout and cost assumptions. Officials said the goal is to settle on a plan the County Council will support for budgeting.
For now, the only confirmed spending remains the $20,000 for the first feasibility study — a cost of about $1.47 per household as the county works toward a solution that keeps services accessible and maintains a strong downtown presence.