“We have worked very hard to get this courthouse back in 1927 condition,” Scioto County Commissioners are speaking out about proposed redevelopment plans for the historic county Courthouse.
The State of Ohio awarded a grant totaling $82,464 to the Scioto County Land Reutilization Corporation to check the courthouse for environmental hazards like asbestos and lead paint. The grant also stated that the study was to prepare the courthouse for potential redevelopment. SCDN was curious about what type of redevelopment and asked commissioners if there were plans to leave the nearly 100-year-old courthouse behind, like the Portsmouth City Building, in favor of more modern quarters, perhaps in Downtown Portsmouth.
However, at Thursday’s County Commissioners meetings, the commissioners said they were just as puzzled by that phrase as we were. “That word caught me off guard, too,” Commissioner Bryan Davis said.
Davis said the purpose of the grant was to identify any unsafe conditions in the courthouse so the county could apply for more grant money to take care of the problems. “There is asbestos. We’re pretty sure of that in some places. The only way you can get a grant to remove it is to do an assessment.”
As to the possibility of the county leaving the courthouse, Davis said, “Absolutely not. There has been no discussion. We’re getting ready to celebrate 100 years. This building is beautiful. It’s a gem. The plan is to get this building in tip-top shape. We’re not moving.”
Commissioner Powell added, “That word ‘redevelopment,’ I would imagine it’s in every press release connected to this funding. Rest assured, we’re staying, folks.”
Commissioner Cathy Coleman added, “On October 7, there’s going to be a film crew here. It is to highlight all 88 Ohio County Courthouses. We’re very proud of this building. We’ve done very many improvements and will continue to do so.”
