Jasper County Board Moves Forward w/Courthouse Project

Jasper County board members have voted to replace the Courthouse in downtown Newton with a new building in the current location.

The vote comes following concerns over the suitability of the existing building and the cost of replacing the building or the cost of renovating the current structure. A public meeting was held last month to consider the county's options.

The Board voted to seek requests for qualifications for engineering and architectural services. Options of a judicial building will be considered, as well as an all-encompassing building. The County currently has an office building in addition to the Courthouse.

The Board also reviewed a courthouse square streetscape project. The project would coincide with any future plans for the Courthouse, and would likely be undertaken once the building project is completed. Grant funds would be sought; an 80/20 grant on the streetscape and a 50/50 grant on streetlight improvements.

Board members also heard about pavement preservation work on 28.6 miles of chip and seal roadway including the Run Around Road, Bogota Road, and Rose Hill East Road, along with 2.75 miles on the West Liberty Soil Cement project.