Courthouse plans approved
By Cheryl Odden, BHG News Service
After numerous pairs of eyes examined preliminary floor plans for a new county courthouse, a giant hurdle has been cleared. During the Feb. 21 meeting of the McLean County Commission, the plans were approved. The approval was not for the plans as drawn, however. The approval included numerous minor revisions based on feedback from county employees whose departments will be housed in the new structure. After architect Al Fitterer noted the final changes that were requested, commissioners gave him the go-ahead to draw blueprints. Wanting to get an early start on the construction project, commissioners authorized Fitterer to develop contractor proposals. Contractor bid-opening was tentatively set for April 28 at the McLean County Law Enforcement Center. Fitterer told commissioners that he thinks the courthouse could be completed by July 2012. Plans call for demolition of the existing courthouse the following month.
