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Board forms courthouse taskforce to study renovation and relocation options
Summary
Chair Jared Hawkinson announced a Courthouse Taskforce to evaluate options—repair, refurbish, buy or build—citing an estimated $15 million for HVAC, plumbing and electrical upgrades; the taskforce will expire Dec. 1, 2026 and report back to the board.
Chair Jared Hawkinson told the Knox County Board on March 25 that the board will form a Courthouse Taskforce to research options for the county courthouse, including repair, renovation, purchase of another building, or new construction.
Hawkinson said basic systems—HVAC, plumbing and electrical—would cost roughly $15 million to replace in the existing courthouse and that prior discussion about courthouse options occurred about 15 years ago. He said the taskforce will include six board members plus the chair and two members at large and will solicit public input and evaluate sites and renovation versus replacement costs; the taskforce is set to expire Dec. 1, 2026.
Board members discussed constraints including timing for a referendum if the general election is used for voter approval and the importance of quickly assembling options to inform public discussion. The taskforce will produce a report for the full board outlining financial and site options, including whether downtown retention of the courthouse is a deal breaker for residents and stakeholders.
