By GAGE WILSON
The Barren County Project Development Board overseeing the construction of the new justice center met Wednesday, Feb. 28th as efforts to get the project underway continue.
Barren County Judge Executive Jamie Bewley-Byrd called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. with all board members present. The board had a relatively slim agenda with the first item being discussion with Silling Architects who are behind the project.
With funding for the new Judicial Center provided by the Kentucky State Legislature, the Barren County Project Development Board selected Silling Architects to provide site evaluation and full architectural and engineering services for the design of the landmark justice project in downtown Glasgow.
Working in collaboration with its associate partner, Integrity Architecture, and closely following the space program and design standards established by the Administrative Office of the Courts, preliminary concepts have been developed for the new facility at a prominent site two blocks from the existing courthouse.
Brian Estep, architect working with the board, began by updating the board and inviting them to a presentation of the materials to be used in the exterior of the justice center. “It’s nothing new, nothing you haven’t seen before,” he said. “It’s just a follow-up to give you some more information.”
According to the Silling Architects website difficulties they anticipate include significantly sloping topography, as well as the dichotomy of pedestrian connection to the historic courthouse square against the public parking areas further removed from the urban core.
The next item for the the board to hear was from Tommy Gumm, the construction manager for the project and CEO of the Alliance Corporation who will be working on the construction. Speaking on the demolition of the building currently occupying the space, Gumm told the board that he did not have a quote on the demolition yet, due to the wait on erecting a fence around the property that would have to be constructed before the demolition could take place. Gumm asked Estep when the civil and mechanical designs would be turned over. Estep responded saying that the mechanical design would be, “In his hands by Friday.” Estep said that based on a discussion he and Gumm had he had needed more information from Gumm for the designs and estimates.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 13th at noon to be held in the circuit courtroom and is open to the public, in person and by Zoom call.
