Barren Magistrate Mark Bowman (District 5) contemplates a pending vote and ongoing discussion during an earlier meeting of the Barren Fiscal Court.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
BY BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Magistrates in Barren County approved a motion Tuesday to secure a property for the construction of a new judicial center.
A project development board was created nearly two years ago after the state legislature earmarked $32 million in the state’s budget for the project. The money was designated exclusively for the construction of a new judicial center in Barren County. It will replace the current Barren County Courthouse, though it will be housed in another location. The current courthouse will remain for county use, officials have said.
The PDB was developed as a unit of the Barren Fiscal Court, which is the entity responsible for the upkeep and care of the local courthouse. The Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts leases the current courthouse from the Barren Fiscal Court, and it will continue to do so when the new center is built.
The court entered a closed session at its Tuesday meeting with all members of the PDB except Joan Norris. Magistrates returned from the session and made one motion.
“Authorize the use of an eminent domain, if necessary, to secure property at the location previously identified as Site E,” said Jeff Botts, the magistrate representing district one.
All members of the court agreed to the motion except Tim Coomer, the magistrate representing district four. There was no further discussion among members of the court.
Eminent domain is a power provided to governments by the Fifth Amendment, and it allows them to take private property for public use. The government must ensure the compensation to the owners of the property is “just,” however.
While no official information has surfaced, speculation among community members and those familiar with the situation has. Among the potential sites is the current property where U.S. Bank is housed along South Green Street. Other site speculations surfacing in recent weeks include a section of land along West Main Street, an office building along the downtown square and churches near downtown.
Members of the PDB previously voted to get an appraisal of “Site E.” The timeline for the project’s completion remains at late 2023 or early 2024.
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