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very viable alternative; he also agreed we need to have a <br />complex in the downtown area, but believed we can separate <br />County Court and Circuit Court. Commissioner Wodtke <br />realized this is frustrating for the judges, but rent is a <br />very expensive alternative. <br />Chairman Scurlock brought up the point that when County <br />Court was moved to the 2001 Building temporarily, it <br />functioned satisfactorily. He, therefore, could not believe <br />the half a million dollar figure Architect Calmes estimated <br />to renovate the church building for court purposes. <br />Mr. Calmes explained in detail the court requirements <br />which cause this expense, citing the acoustical require- <br />ments, the recording equipment. He noted that nave of the <br />church and guild hall both could function as courtrooms of a <br />rather nice size, but there are no jury rooms; the restrooms <br />are inadequate for a public building; there is no hall area; <br />and the office area there now would not function as Judge's <br />chambers. There is space for parking, however, and he did <br />feel a third courtroom could be tacked on with proper <br />planning. <br />Commissioner Wodtke noted that here again, as with the <br />old hospital, we have a building designed for a very special <br />purpose, which we are considering converting to a different <br />use, and he believed it would be preferable to take the <br />money and construct a proper facility from scratch. If we <br />did renovate for the fourth courtroom as originally <br />proposed, he noted we then will have to rent more space for <br />the Public Defender and States Attorney. <br />Commissioner Bird wished to know if we have an <br />indication from the Circuit Judges that the County Courtroom <br />area will satisfy them, and Commissioner Lyons stated that <br />was his understanding after discussing it with Judge <br />Vocelle. <br />57 <br />AUG 2 2 1994Boa F&IH <br />I <br />