In works for more than a year, Christian County Fiscal Court and its Buildings & Grounds Committee has been in the midst of research — looking to find financial ways to preserve, and restore, its 1869 courthouse, as well as its surrounding historic property.
During Tuesday’s fiscal court meeting, magistrates approved for Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam to sign a contract worth $104,000 with JRA Architects of Louisville, in which plans will be drafted for proper filing of grants and other opportunities.
Already, Gilliam said major renovations have come to the Alhambra Theatre, but the PVA’s Office, Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, the RCA and some good road frontage at the bottom of North Main needs some guidance on “the best use of space” and “efficiencies within county government.”
George Barnett, magistrate, also serves on the committee, and urged that the plan is to “restore and renovate,” while bringing property standards up to the 21st century.
Barnett said that of all the bids on the process, JRA Architects gave officials “the closest fit” of a downtown and courthouse restoration.
Gilliam told the court that while there is no “major crunch” for documents to be drafted and assessed, most surveys and drawings probably need to be finished by the third quarter of 2025, if there is an expectation to apply for assistance during the next fiscal year.
Magistrate John Bruce also offered some more detail on the coming process.
Fiscal court next meets 8:30 AM, April 8.
