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Renovations may start this month at La Plata County Courthouse

County approves up to $5 million for project
La Plata County commissioners approved up to $5 million for renovations at the Courthouse, 1060 East Second Ave.

Renovations to the La Plata County Courthouse may begin as early as Feb. 22.

On Tuesday, La Plata County commissioners unanimously approved up to $5 million for the remodeling, which will create space for 6th Judicial District offices and federal court offices.

“This initiative was based on General Services Administration’s extreme space needs, and we have a number of space needs in the 6th Judicial District we’re in obligation by law to provide,” Assistant County Manager Joanne Spina said.

“We have to satisfy those needs, which has been an objective of the board for a number of years, and provide space for the county attorney’s office to move back into the courthouse.”

GSA has increased staff by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years. The federal court will reimburse the county by paying a price per square foot through a 10-year lease agreement.

“Having the federal courts here will be an economic boost to downtown Durango, commissioners won’t have to expend money for additional courtroom space in the future, and we can bring the county Attorney’s Office out of lease space and into space the county owns,” Commissioner Julie Westendorff said. “I think that’s good planning and leveraging of resources.”

A $1.9 million grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs will also offset some of the cost, which may not exceed $5 million.

Completion of the project is anticipated sometime in January or February 2017. The project will not disrupt daily operations at the courthouse.

jpace@durangoherald.com

Apr 11, 2015
Courthouse remodel on the way
Mar 6, 2015
County, feds reach courthouse space deal


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