By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
While the new city building being constructed at the 12th Street and Baker Avenue intersection in Great Bend will mostly be referred to as the police station by many, the Justice Center will also include a new municipal courtroom. The $8.8 million project, funded mostly through a .10% sales tax, will move the courtroom from Williams Street.
Great Bend City Attorney Allen Glendenning said the change will include the courtroom’s separate entrance for the public.
"It'll be more of a courtroom," said Glendenning. "It's easier to get in and out of. There's also going to be a separate, with a door that closes, for conferences between attorneys and their clients. Right now that is basically done in the hallway or stepping outside.
An open house on Oct. 20 will allow the public to view the new courtroom and the rest of the 20,100 square-foot Justice Center. The ribbon cutting will take place at 10 a.m. and citizens are welcome to tour the facility until 6 p.m. on Oct. 20.
"The new courtroom will be more convenient and better for everyone I think," added Glendenning.