Spring plans to redo roads and the parking lot by the Wensman Building have inspired the Wadena County Board to start brainstorming plans to solve space needs in the courthouse in lieu of relinquished justice center plans.
While the board made no decisions on renovations, they approved a visit by Tony Stoll of Baker, Hogan, and Houx Architecture and Planning out of Perham to discuss ideas and design costs. The motion also included the addition of larger water and sewer lines to the Wensman building during the street and parking lot renovations already contracted for this spring.
The county's current renovations to the Wensman Building are designed to create storage for records and voting equipment. But commissioners thought that it was important to install sewer and water lines to accommodate the possibility of future offices in the building.
Chairman Bill Stearns said city sewer and water officials advised installing the lines now so that the county won't have to tear the pavement up again if the board decides on any future renovations that would involve office space.
Stearns said the board is trying to have a master plan and use creativity and foresight in planning construction.
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"So tax payers don't say 'why did they spend $50,000 and now they're tearing it up [again]?'" he said.
Stearns presented some sketches of possible renovations that would eventually allow non law enforcement-related courthouse offices to move into the Wensman Building. Stearns described the sketches as some "hen scratching" that are not to scale. His basic idea, however, would allow the county to phase in the office relocations over a five-year period, he said.
The sheriff's department, emergency management, county attorney's office and court offices would take over the courthouse.
If the courthouse offices move to the Wensman Building the county could add a dry addition to the highway department for the Friendly Rider buses, Stearns said. The building without any water hookup would cost approximately $80,000.
The gradual changes and use of Sentenced to Serve labor may allow the county to do the work without incurring any debt, he said.
Commissioner Lane Waldahl said Stearns presented some nice ideas, but the board will need an architect's drawing, figures and a five-or-six-year plan in order to make any decisions.
Stearns and the other commissioners agreed.
"This is where we start is with the brainstorming," Commissioner Mary Harrison said.
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