The Pike County Commissioners announced Monday that the county is in agreement to purchase the former Rite Aid building with plans to move offices currently housed in the Pike County Courthouse into the former store.
“None of us like that,” Commissioner Tony Montgomery said. “We all wish that it could stay, but it can’t.”
The commissioners did say the courthouse could be “repurposed” but they were not sure by who at this point.
“We’re going to focus on the Rite Aid building,” Commissioner Jeff Chattin said. “We ‘re going to get it done. It’a year and a half or two years out.”
Chattin said that the officeholders that will be in the building will have a say in the layout of the building. The officeholders that will be moved are Common Pleas Court Judge Rob Junk, Prosecutor Mike Davis and Clerk of Courts Justin Brewster and their staff.
“There is a lot of square footage in the old courthouse that is not good space,” Commissioner Montgomery said. “There are rooms that aren’t used, let alone mention the astronomical expense of upkeep. We just replaced the boiler. Hopefully, that building (the courthouse) can be repurposed and that boiler won’t be wasted.
“That building has served its purpose, has done its job,” Montgomery added. The new part was built in 1907, and that’s the new part. We have not taken this decision lightly. We understand this is a big decision for our county, for our people and for our courts.”
Montgomery and Chattin agreed that as many of the historical things in the courthouse will be saved. The map of Pike County in the downstairs hallway along with the busts of the James Emmitt and Mrs. Emmitt in the courtroom were both mentioned as things to be saved. A downsized version of the mural that sits behind the judge’s bench was even something that will be looked into.
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