Plans to construct a new Judicial Center in Cherokee County are still in the works despite being put aside due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Commission Chairman/Probate Judge Tim Burgess said that there has been no recent progress or activity regarding the project because of the county’s response to the Coronavirus Outbreak but that discussions would resume as soon as possible.

In September of 2019, the Commission held a discussion with Engineers from Volkert and Architects with McKee and Associates regarding the construction of a proposed building to be located on property located on East Main Street.

The original plan was for a three story facility which would have housed the Tag/Probate Office, Department of Motor Vehicles and the Circuit Clerks Office in addition to a multi-purpose space and a sally port area used to bring individuals to and from court. The second floor would have housed the Revenue Commissioners Office, County Commission Chambers and the Probate Suite for the Judge. The third floor would have been for the courtrooms for District and Circuit Court, Judges Chambers and Suites for the District Attorney’s Office.

The plan turned out to be around 50,000 square feet, much larger than the original 30,000 square feet that had been originally discussed. The original budget discussed was around 12 million dollars. This plan ran the cost up an additional 5 million dollars, a cost that Judge Burgess said simply would not work.

The more feasible concept seems to be a two story version of the original plan which will house the EMA Office, Circuit Clerks Office and the District Attorney’s Office on the lower floor. On the upper floor would be the District and Circuit Courtrooms and Offices. All other functions would remain at the current Administration Building with some renovations being done to accommodate expansion for departments such as the Drivers License Office and the Tag Office.

This would be around a 30,000 square foot facility which brings it in line with the initial plans.