Commissioners authorize courthouse‑remodel design proposal, ask for updated space review and fire‑marshal input

Harvey County commissioners authorized on April 29 the design phase for a courthouse remodel and directed staff to formalize an agreement with Schaefer Architecture, with contract signature authority delegated to county administration subject to staff review.

Gary Holler of Schaefer Architecture summarized prior work (Pine Street phases already underway) and said the firm would continue programmatic space planning for the main courthouse, where roughly 6,000 square feet of functions are expected to relocate as other buildings come online. Commissioners noted a January 2024 cost estimate on file of about $7.5 million and asked staff and the architect to re‑check current costs, because price and program assumptions had changed since that estimate.

Commissioners emphasized several follow‑up tasks before moving to construction: a fresh review of departmental space needs (including outreach to incoming elected officials where appropriate), an updated parking and circulation study, consultation with the county fire marshal on sprinkling, rated corridors and compliance, and a careful assessment of whether third‑party nonprofit tenants (for example, SafeHope) should be accommodated inside the courthouse or be housed offsite.

Commissioners discussed phasing, noting that combining related projects into a single construction program is often more cost effective. The board approved the design proposal, authorized staff to finalize a standard architectural contract and asked Schaefer to begin a new programmatic review with department heads.