Members of the Texas County Commission, its architect and construction manager were meeting at presstime Wednesday to review bids for a 61,500 square foot justice center that was rebid after costs exceeded projections.
The county opened bids earlier this month for the project, which is slated at Grand Avenue and Spruce Street, where excavation work is already under way.
Presiding County Commissioner Don Shelhammer said before the meeting that the bids were within the scope of the project, which is estimated to cost in excess of $9 million.
The project was made possible by two half-cent sales taxes that were approved by voters in November 2005 and went on the books a year ago. The voter okay allowed bonds totaling about $15 million to be sold, allowing for the justice center and renovations to the 1932-era county courthouse, which is undergoing tuckpointing with installation of new windows. [See related photograph elsewhere].
Under the latest specifications, the most obvious change is the elimination of a gabled roof and a third level slated for storage. The new design includes a slightly sloped roof, which has the same profile as the current courthouse.
In addition to judicial quarters, the county prosecutor, public administrator, circuit clerk, juvenile office and coroner will occupy space at the justice center. A 72-bed jail also is included.
Septagon Construction of Sedalia is the project manager for the development.