The first step toward renovating the former State Bank building to house county offices will be considered by Cowley County commissioners during their regularly scheduled meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
An architectural services agreement with Gordon and Associates Architects for $5,000 will be discussed, according to the meeting agenda. The future county administration building is located at 321 E. 10th St., directly south of the Courthouse where a new jail is under construction.
Originally, jail planners thought the east wing of the courthouse would have to be torn down for the construction.? Commissioners thought the bank building would provide office space for those losing their offices when the wing was torn down, and bought the building in October 2005 for $725,000.
The jail design later showed the east wing would not have to be torn down, and no offices would have to immediately be moved.
A plan to fund the renovation has not yet been decided. County Administrator Leroy Alsup estimated some time ago the price tag could run $1 million. Planners also thought revenue from the half-cent sales tax funding the new jail would provide enough funds to renovate the bank building.
Then? commissioners decided to construct the full project instead of doing it in two stages, which they felt would cost more in the long run. That meant the sales tax revenue wouldn’t be available for the bank building.
One funding plan Alsup has considered is housing inmates from Johnson County at $45 a day per inmate. Cowley County would provide meals and uniforms. The first phase of the new jail is expected to be ready for occupancy in November.
Also on Tuesday’s agenda is a cereal malt beverage license application by Bernard Berning for a restaurant on property owned by Max or Steve Abrams, Abrams Managed Enterprises. Berning lives in Wichita and may not qualify for a license since he does not live Cowley County. The Medicine River Steakhouse would be opened where the Silver Dollar restaurant was located on 252nd Road.
Commission meetings are held on the first floor of the courthouse and open to the public.
