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Commissioners debate courthouse security upgrades and limits imposed by historic-preservation funding
Summary
Columbia County officials weighed requests for bulletproof doors, ADA compliance issues and options to relocate district court offices while noting historic-preservation funding restrictions that limit alterations until about 2028.
County leaders discussed courthouse security upgrades, whether to repurpose existing bulletproof doors, and the constraints imposed by historic-preservation funding tied to earlier grants.
At the outset staff explained the county's historical-preservation obligations: the courthouse project includes grant conditions that could constrain significant changes until roughly 2028. Staff characterized the preservation requirement as a reason to avoid irreversible alterations unless funding conditions were addressed.
On security, staff and commissioners raised a practical problem: several existing bulletproof doors are 2—S 7— wide and therefore not ADA-compliant. One staff member said the current doors were ordered and installed during the COVID era and that they had to assess whether those doors could be moved or whether the county should buy new, ADA-compliant bulletproof doors. A commissioner summarized the trade-off: keeping historical features versus improving security and accessibility.
The board also discussed moving the district court from the third floor to the old auditor's office on the second floor as a way to meet security or space needs without violating preservation conditions. Staff suggested exploring grants for security improvements and noted the sheriff's office and courts can sometimes obtain targeted security money. Commissioners said they would prioritize addressing window and exterior maintenance first if a courthouse maintenance grant is awarded.
Planning building and offices: the group considered the old Planning Building's small restroom and ADA challenges and discussed possible uses (leasing to WSU or other tenants). Staff said WSU's current lease runs through 2027, so near-term vacancy is unlikely.
Next steps: commissioners asked staff to inventory existing doors and get cost estimates for replacement or relocation, check grant eligibility for security work, and present options that preserve ADA compliance and adhere to historic-preservation covenants.
