Commissioners direct staff to focus judicial-center planning on county annex building

Adams County commissioners voted to shift planning for a new judicial center and related office space toward renovating the county annex building rather than building a new facility on a separate site. The board’s decision follows a committee review that recommended the annex as a lower-cost option that leverages recent upgrades to the annex.

Commissioner Stan moved to reorient the project and the board approved the motion. Committee members and commissioners cited existing infrastructure in the annex — including a new generator, upgraded power rooms, updated IT space, a new roof, elevator and newer chiller equipment — as advantages that reduce duplication and lower cost compared with a new-build alternative. The committee’s recommendation was described as unofficial guidance to the commissioners, who retained responsibility for location decisions and for advising the council on funding needs.

Under the draft plan discussed at the meeting, circuit court would remain in its current courtroom in the courthouse. The annex-focused approach would shift peripheral offices — probation, community corrections, the prosecutor’s office and public defender — into the annex space. The clerk’s offices could remain in the courthouse and the clerk could take over additional first-floor space, depending on final space planning.

Commissioners said the annex option presents challenges the new-build solution did not, and that architects will be asked to prepare plans that fit the required program into the existing annex footprint. The board did not authorize construction spending at the meeting; commissioners directed staff and consultants to develop cost and layout options for the annex conversion so the board can evaluate scope and cost before any formal appropriation or bond action is proposed to the council.

No formal timeline or firm cost estimate was presented at the meeting. Staff said WIC’s planned departure Jan. 1 will create additional available space to consider during planning. The board emphasized that no staff are being asked to vacate current offices at this stage; further decisions will follow further study and cost estimates.