Upgrades set for small courtroom and jury room in Cambridge Common Pleas Court building

CAMBRIDGE − Upgrades are coming to the small courtroom and the jury room in the Cambridge Common Pleas Court building.

The Guernsey County commissioners met with Todd Carpenter, maintenance supervisor, and Common Pleas Judge Padden to discuss the needed renovations.

The building has not had any major work done in nearly 50 years, and the new upgrades will make the areas ADA accessible compliant, and more comfortable for those using them.

The proposed work in the small courtroom includes new ceiling tiles, chandelier lights, a fan, fresh paint, and new carpeting. A projected cost of $24,855.13 will also include a remodel of the witness stand.

"We should note, where it says six chandelier lights, we're not talking about crystal. Strictly by definition, they're hanging fixtures," said Commissioner Dave Wilson.

In the jury room, new lighting and ceiling tiles will go along with new countertops and cabinets, fresh paint and carpeting and upgrades to the bathroom flooring. The cost for the jury room is expected to be $30,522.62.

Included in the cost breakdown for both areas is a potential technology upgrade. The purpose of the upgrades would be to accommodate the presentation of evidence with a newer TV. "Other counties have really done a lot of this already. We're kind of behind a little bit behind already, but we're getting it done," noted Commissioner Skip Gardner.

According to the commissioners' meeting report, the total cost estimate for the small courtroom and the jury room is $58,627.75, which will be paid out of the County Building Fund.

Two quotes have been obtained to do the flooring; one from Milfair Carpeting and the other from King Karpet. The county maintenance department will handle the electrical work. "We try to use local people to the best of our abilities," said Commissioner Jack Marlin.

"We have an exceptionally talented maintenance department. We've got three guys that can pretty much do anything," notf Wilson. "They stay busy and they've saved a ton of money for the county. I would say approaching if not over six figures."

While there is no set start date for the work, the tentative plan is to work around the magistrate docket schedule, to allow for the least amount of disturbances possible.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Upgrades set for small courtroom and jury room in Cambridge Common Pleas Court building