By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Planning continues for the big renovation project at the Barton County Courthouse. But the steps are getting bigger. Last Wednesday, the commission moved forward with the $4.2 million renovation that includes a new HVAC system, replacement of the 2-pipe heating and cooling system, and many cosmetic improvements. County Administrator Matt Patzner said the real work begins now.
"I think it provided a lot of clarity," he said. "Obviously, there's a lot of work to be done, but at least now we know what direction we're going in and we can start making plans on getting everything ready to go and set up in that regard. Up until that moment, we were kind of in limbo a little bit not knowing what direction to go. It takes a load off to at least have a direction now."
The county plans to have all staff moved out of the courthouse by mid June. Negotiations are underway to rent the old Sears building in the 1700 block of Main Street in downtown Great Bend, as well as the old JC Penney building at Broadway and Kansas Ave. No hard deadlines have been set for acquiring property.
"I don't know that we have an exact date," Patzner said. "I think for us, probably the sooner the better. That way we start planning and get in there and get an idea of how we want things laid out, and get anything, electrical or anything like that, we need to get done."
Planning for the project began in September 2021. The county will use $2.8 million in federal ARPA funds, and nearly $1.4 million out of its reserves to pay for the renovations.