Construction begins on Benton’s Campbell Building remodel – The Southern

BENTON The Franklin County Board is moving on several key projects this month.

During a special meeting Jan. 31, the board approved an ordinance that would allow them to move forward with the financing of the $550,000 Campbell Building remodel. The remodel of this building is being done to move the offices of the Regional Superintendent of Schools, Supervisor of Assessment, the Election office and the County Board to the Campbell Building from the Franklin County Annex Building.

County Board President Randall Crocker said construction on the project began last week and he hopes it will be completed by April 15. At the very least, Crocker said he hopes for the offices to be moved by May 1.

The board has also begun visiting public meetings throughout the county to discuss the need to replace their 140-year-old courthouse and to promote the added sales tax that will pay for it. This will be on the ballot during Aprils election. The proposed measure would increase sales tax by one percent and would last for 20 years. The funds collected would pay for the new courthouse construction.

Crocker said he has personally attended one meeting so far. It was with the Franklin County Farm Bureau.

It was excellent, Crocker said. Im not saying they were all for it, but they certainly wasnt questioning the motives or the need.

He said the Farm Bureau will be sponsoring a meeting March 7 at the Benton Civic Center.

Crocker said he gets two primary questions when talking with people about the courthouse proposal what is going to be done with the old courthouse and where will the new one go? He said the primary thing is is wanting to get across to people is simple.

The No. 1 thing I want them to understand is the county will not keep [the old building], Crocker said. We cant. We dont have any need for it. We cant afford to keep it.

This leaves the options of selling the building, which Crocker said would have to take place in the construction period, or tearing it down. Crocker did say he has had one party show interest in purchasing the building should it come up for sale, but said it was too early to say who.

As to where the new location would be, Crocker had two places specifically in mind. One location is a block south of the existing courthouse and the other would be next to the jail on East Main. He said the jail location is attractive because it already owned by the county, and it would be easy to transport prisoners to and from court.

However, Crocker said he questions whether or not there would be enough room for all the needs of the new courthouse.

Crocker said his primary concern is wanting the new courthouse to be easily accessible and should the resolution pass this April, he wants the public to weigh in on where they think the new courthouse should be located.

Isaac.Smith@thesouthern.com

618-529-5823

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Construction begins on Benton's Campbell Building remodel - The Southern