Justice Center gets renovation

By Katie Stallcup

Published: July 31, 2008

The entrance to the county’s biggest courthouse got a facelift this month, a change intended to make it easier for residents to get in the door.

Renovation on the Lee County Justice Center’s main entrance started July 7 and is scheduled to be completed Monday, said Jerry Lynch, director of Lee County facilities.

“We are remodeling the front entrance-way to give us not only more room, but also so that traffic flows through there better,” Lynch said.

Workers have removed the two inside doors, extending the lobby area. They have also installed sliding, handicapped-accessible doors on either side of the entrance and replaced the brick floor with ceramic tile.

During the renovation, visitors had to use a side entrance. Because the small entrance didn’t have room for the security X-ray machine, visitors had to leave bags and purses in their cars.

The security officers, who had to work in the temporary small, hot space, will be glad to see their old work space improved, said Lee County Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Deputy Capt. Corey Welch.

“It’s going to be worthwhile,” Welch said. “There’s more handicapped access … and aesthetically, it looks great. It’s well worth the renovation.”

The remodeling of the front entrance is part of a larger, county-funded project that includes transforming the old sheriff’s office into a space for family court, Lynch said. That portion of the renovation should be finished sometime at the end of August or beginning of September.