The Reconfiguration Committee of Richland County heard a proposal to reconfigure the county courtroom to improve safety for judges, judicial staff, the public and detainees and to address accessibility issues. Venture Architects consultant Corey presented an itemized plan and a preliminary cost estimate of about $194,000 for bench relocation, jury-room reconfiguration, new furniture and modest remodeling.

Committee members said the proposal matters because of immediate safety vulnerabilities in the existing courtroom layout, and because the county must balance short-term upgrades with longer-term facility planning.

Corey said the plan would move the jury closer to a jury deliberation room, rotate the judge’s bench to a corner position, raise the bench to “meet the requirements under the Supreme Court regulations to be 21 inches high,” add a second egress for the court commissioner’s room, and provide jury restrooms and new jury furniture. Corey told the committee that technology relocation and reconfiguration are included in the estimate: “we're just extending that and re kinda reconfiguring the the bench, utilizing accessible flooring, so that can easily be piped over to that area.”

The consultant’s estimate covers furniture, modest remodel work and the bench adjustments; Corey also noted ceilings, piping and mechanical patchwork in nearby areas that could raise scope if addressed. Committee member Mister Carroll asked for the arrangement files and the budget; Corey said he would share them after the meeting.

Several committee members flagged that the upgrades would not eliminate all long-term issues. As Corey put it, the work “at least starts that correction. By any means, this isn't gonna resolve all issues.” Members described the proposal as a way to improve courtroom safety and accessibility while the county evaluates whether to build a new justice facility in the future.

No formal motion to fund or approve construction work was taken during the meeting; the consultant will provide drawings and the committee will consider prioritization in later planning meetings.

The committee also asked staff to note whether a judge’s private restroom should be added; Corey said he could include that in a revised scope and estimate if the committee wanted him to pursue it.