Cowley County commissioners are turning their attention once again to the former bank building purchased in 2005 to provide additional office space.
They will consider contracting for the schematic design phase of the feasibility study when they meet in regular session at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the first floor assembly room at the courthouse.
Gordon and Associates Architects will prepare a schematic drawing from a program developed by G&A and county department heads, according to the proposed agreement. The county bought the building for $725,000.
County officials at first thought some county departments would have to move into the building to make room for the new jail addition to the courthouse. As work continued on the jail design, planners realized there was enough space without having to tear down the east wing and move anybody out.
Long-term planning calls for the courthouse to eventually become a law enforcement center with community corrections programs being housed there along with the sheriff and county attorney and the state court system.
The appraiser, clerk, treasurer, register of deeds and county engineer’s office could be moved across the street. The additional architectural work should provide a better estimate how much space would be required.
The county has already spent $4,532 for architect’s services and will spend an additional $17,518 for the next phase of the design development services, if the agreement is approved Tuesday.
County Administrator Leroy Alsup has hoped to provide jail space for other communities to fund the work at the additional county facility. A one-half cent sales tax to build the new jail was approved in a special election in 2005.
