Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Clark County JPs Give OK to Changes

Plans for an annexation and renovations for the Clark County Courthouse were approved by the Clark County Quorum Court Monday night.

In its regular meeting, the court gave the architect, Twin Rivers of Arkadelphia, the go-ahead to get the plans together so they can be ready for contractors to make bids on.

Clark County Judge Grady Runyan said the plans should be ready in late January or early February. At this time, the contractors can examine them and the project will be let for bid.

Runyan said he expects to actually let the bid around early April, and construction should begin in early spring.

Completion of the annexation and renovation is expected to take a year.

"We're getting started on it about the right time," Runyan said. "The new portion should be done by next November, and will tie onto the roof of the old courthouse. Then we'll begin renovations."

He said the renovations to the current facility will be done one office at a time.

These renovations include lowering some ceilings; removing all windows and replacing them with more energy efficient insulated windows; installing central heating and air conditioning; and tearing out some walls to replace old wiring and plumbing.

"It will be completely modernized," Runyan said of the current courthouse. "I'm elated about the courthouse."

Representatives with Twin Rivers brought a scale model of what the project will look like upon completion to the meeting for the justices. This model will be on display in the courthouse hall, and transferred to other locations in Arkadelphia, including the banks, to allow the public to see what the end results will be.

Other improvements to the courthouse include the addition of a sprinkler system, enlarging the county judge's office and removing asbestos from the roof, along with sealing the basement.

Cost of the renovation and annexation are expected to be around $2.5 million. Runyan said the county has $2 million on hand for the project, with grants expected to cover a portion and some to possibly come from the county general fund.

One grant is expected to come from the Arkansas Historical Society, which has made an offer to help with renovations.

The new annexation will be two stories tall, include two courtrooms and space for most county offices.

The exterior will match the current courthouse.

The annexation will be constructed between the current facility and the county jail, with 40 feet left between the courthouse and jail for a courtyard.

The annexation will be 29,000 square feet of usable space.

In other business, Runyan gave a report on road projects around the county.

He said the new Gurdon High School road has been paved from Highway 67 to the railroad tracks. The remainder of the project, which runs to Beirne, has had the dirt work done and is being left to settle during the winter and will be paved next year.

In addition, two-thirds of a three-mile project to the Burtsell community has been done. Runyan said he wants to get this out of the way before county road crews go back to grading county roads.

The county budget for 1996 was introduced to the court, but has not been finalized as yet.

Runyan said the financial document has been approved by the budget committee, but will require approval of the entire body before being adopted.

A special budget meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov 27 at the Clark County Courthouse.