9/10/1984 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

- M M Chairman Scurlock believed we have ruled out the jail site, and it appears we need to make a decision between downtown or by the Administration Building. Commissioner Wodtke noted that if we make a decision to stay in the downtown area, we have to commit that we need additional land and we will have to buy it, unless possibly the City would want to give us some. He believed it would make more sense to build a new courthouse facility on the land we own and utilize the Annex for office space. Administrator Wright felt it all boils down to a philosophical decision as to whether it is worth the extra money to stay downtown. Commissioner Lyons wished to point out, before we give away the land across the canal, that the Administration Building itself will have to be expanded in the foreseeable future and also, part of the deal with the City of Vero Beach was to reserve certain of the land across the canal for future parking. Administrator Wright noted that we have a considerable acreage across the canal. Chairman Scurlock believed that if we do move the courts from downtown, we might as well forget about the downtown area. Angelo Sanchez, President of First Bankers, agreed it is a tough decision but noted that his Board of Directors faced this decision not too long ago, and they are expending in excess of $700,000 on the renovation of their downtown building. He felt when the County expended the amount of money they did a few years back to renovate the Courthouse, that they actually made that decision and now should re- affirm their commitment. Mr. Sanchez felt the County has an outstanding facility there; it is conducive to downtown business; the ancillary services are there; and they only have to spend $220,000 for the fourth courtroom, of which 13 SEP 10 1984 Box 58 FA -UE 217