The Pike County Board of Commissioners (BOC) are in agreement to purchase the former Rite Aid pharmacy building in Waverly.
The intended use is to house the Pike County Court of Common Pleas, the Pike County Prosecutor’s office and the Pike County Clerk of Courts employees. Additional offices or agencies, all or in part, may also be located at this facility pending completion of the final layout and design.
The BOC ordered an engineering study in 2022, which determined that a complete structural and interior rebuild was required for our courthouse. The exorbitant cost of maintenance and ongoing repairs was a concern, but more importantly the safety of employees and citizens occupying a rapidly deteriorating structure made the situation more urgent.
With an estimated cost of between $7 million and $12 million, it was clear other solutions needed to be considered. Given the unaffordable cost, as well as having to find space for county judicial and administrative work to continue during a potential rebuild, it became clear that the purchase and remodel of the former Rite Aid building at roughly one-third of the cost was the best path forward for Pike County.
To be clear, this action was taken only after every effort to fund the preservation of our courthouse was unsuccessful. However, it is our intention to continue to pursue funding as well as consideration of partnership opportunities with interested parties to restore our courthouse to its former glory. Accordingly, and in the interests of employee and public safety, the decision has been made to relocate the Pike County Courthouse.
A firm timeline has not been completed yet, but will be established and made public in the weeks ahead. Be assured the new facility will be something our residents can be proud of.
Sincerely,
The Pike County Board of Commissioners
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