Saline County plans $4 million addition to courthouse

WILBER - Plans for a $4 million addition to the Saline County courthouse are focused on accessibility.

Currently, the courthouse lacks an elevator. The stairwell does feature a chairlift, but Saline County Treasurer Debbie Spanyerds, a wheelchair user whose office is located on the second floor of the building, said most customers dont like to use the lift. As a remedy, Spanyerds sends clerks downstairs to meet customers who are unable to travel to the upper-level floors.

I really kind of feel that doesnt give them the dignity, Spanyerds said. I think theyd like to come upstairs and take care of the business themselves.

Saline County Commissioner Willis Luedke said many of the notable features of the new addition will remedy most of the accessibility issues. The addition will include an elevator as well as a second stairwell to meet fire safety codes. Restrooms which meet the current Americans with Disabilities Act standards also will be added.

The restrooms on the second and third floor are not handicap accessible because they have a step up into them, Luedke explained. Well be eliminating those restrooms on the second and third floor and putting in handicap accessible restrooms in the new addition.

Another concern at the courthouse is a lack of separation between inmates and visitors. Currently, prisoners are held in the public corridor just outside of the county courtroom while waiting for court hearings and trials. That's also where the public waits before entering to take drivers license exams.

Were adding a sally port in the basement level of the addition, Luedke said. Law enforcement will enter the sally port, unload the prisoners, get them into the elevator and take them directly up to the first floor or third floor for either county court or district court. Theyll then be held in a holding room until its time for them to appear in court. That keeps them out of the flow of traffic for the general public.

Originally, the county had planned to break ground on the courthouse addition by Oct. 1. Luedke said a start date is currently unknown. He said he hopes construction can begin later this fall or early next spring.

Were doing extensive planning so that the remodeling will meet the needs of the various offices that are affected by it, Luedke said. We also want to take into account the general public when they come in. How can we best meet their needs within the confines of the building that we have?

Luedke said according to feedback he has received regarding the project, the public appears excited for the upcoming changes.

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Saline County plans $4 million addition to courthouse