The estimated $3.8 million cost to convert the former Ohio Bureau of Employment Services building in Marietta into suitable court facilities is a good deal, according to the architects who developed the plans.
Miller Lecky Architects Inc. of Columbus met with Municipal Court Judge Janet Dyar-Welch and Marietta City Council members Wednesday to explain the designs and costs of the proposed project.
"This is a very conservative approach," said Steve Miller, of Miller Lecky.
Miller projected the renovations would cost about $140 per square foot, about $40 less per square foot than to construct a new building.
The current court facilities are not handicap accessible and are inadequate for space and security, according to city officials.
Nearly $500,000 of the proposed costs to renovate the building surround security-related items. Of those, Welch said she isn't willing to skimp on security.
"I am not going to negotiate safety," Welch said.
About $125,000 of the projected cost includes a special garage for police to enter with prisoners. Another $80,000 is dedicated to an elevator for police and prisoners.
There is $50,000 earmarked for courtroom video, audio and a computer system that allows for prisoners to be arraigned from jail.
Generally, prisoners are only brought to the court for preliminary hearings. Those hearings are currently held once a week.
About $3.2 million of the proposed project covers the construction cost. The remaining $600,000 would include furniture and design fees.
The designs also call for the expansion of the current OBES space from 16,000 to 23,170 square feet. The current court operates in about 4,200 square feet.
Welch said she still has other options she would like to explore. She did not elaborate, but has discussed previously an expansion to the current court.
The judge asked City Council to review the plans and to meet with her to discuss the proposal at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday.
The "usable" court space in the proposed expansion to the OBES facility is nearly as large as the current court facilities, and would be used to house court records, according to the current designs. The cost of the proposed addition was not immediately available.
Mayor Michael Mullen proposed the purchase of the former OBES building as a possible municipal court location after the property became available in November 2006. It was shortly after a writ of mandamus lawsuit was filed by Marietta resident Butch Badgett to force the mayor and council to provide adequate and accessible court facilities that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
In May, the Ohio 4th District Court of Appeals ruled on the case, ordering the city to provide suitable court facilities.
Mullen said he still believes more could be done with the facility for less money.
"With the expansion, this is five times the space the court currently occupies," Mullen said. "One of my questions to the architect was about the process used to determine the space needs and overall outcome of the designs. A lot of that was defined from previous studies that were used to support building the justice center and other designs that were denied by referendum."
Council members contacted after the meeting said they would reserve comment until after Tuesday's meeting with Welch.
