Franklin County representatives asked the Downtown Commission to approve demolition of the former Franklin County Corrections Center (Downtown Jail) at 370 South Front Street to make way for phased reconstruction including a future early learning center and streetscape improvements.

County deputy administrator Chris Long and the design team (DLZ’s Steve Winters, architect Joe Kyle) described a three‑phase approach: Phase 1 (demolition and abatement, estimated 12 months between Feb 2026–Feb 2027); Phase 2 (streetscape and concourse reconstruction, Feb 2027–date TBD); and Phase 3 (construction of a new mixed‑use building with an early learning center at a later date). The county said commissioners committed funding and that design work for the learning center is underway.

Commissioners probed demolition sequencing, utilities decoupling, fencing and temporary traffic protections (Jersey barriers and water‑filled barriers with screen fencing). They raised material concerns for later reconstruction (advising durable materials rather than long‑term EIFS) and asked the county to coordinate design across all courthouse‑square corners so improvements read as a cohesive whole. Several commissioners said they were comfortable approving the demolition phase given the county’s commitment and the complexity of the building connections and utilities.

The commission moved and approved the demolition COA by voice vote. Commissioners asked the county to return with refined Phase‑2 plaza designs that address all adjacent corners and to provide more detailed schematic designs before construction of new public spaces. Staff and county representatives said fencing and barriers will be temporary, removed at project completion, and that the county will provide a HABS‑lite report documenting the existing structure before demolition.