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Montgomery is the county seat as well as the capitol. County govt. growing a little.

County buys more downtown

By Sebastian Kitchen
Montgomery Advertiser


Montgomery County continues to purchase property throughout the historic downtown area to meet future space needs.

"I don't think the property is going to be any cheaper in the future," Commissioner Reed Ingram said. "Land is valuable down in that area and we would like to keep everything centrally located around the buildings we have now so we will not be scattered all throughout Montgomery County."

Ingram said it is wise to purchase the land as it becomes available.

"We are just taking advantage of the opportunities that have come up," he said.

Commissioners are expected to approve another purchase Monday. The property is located at 250 and 260 Washington Ave. and, if passed, the county will own the entire corner.

The county purchased the old Montgomery Advertiser building, 200 Washington Ave., for more than $1 million in 2003 for additional office space. The purchase included the former Associated Press building at 116 S. McDonough St.

Commissioners have been looking for more than a short-term fix to the county's space needs. They have approved the purchase of more than $2 million in downtown property this year for office space and expansion of the detention facility.

Ingram said they will likely use the latest properties for a future administration building.

"Land is so hard to come by in the general area," he said. "With our hub area of downtown, we're just trying to finish out pieces we own on those blocks so we can start on our administration building."

Ingram said the county likely will renovate the old Advertiser building.

A study by PH&J Architects shows the county needs 137,000 additional square feet, or about 32 percent more space.

The architects said most county departments are in need of space, including the sheriff's office, probate judge, district attorney, revenue commissioner, records and community corrections.

County Administrator Donnie Mims said the long-term plan for the likely acquisitions is to use the land for the courthouse building expansion, but it can be used for various county offices in the immediate future.

Mims said some of the acquired property would be needed for parking after the detention center is completed in two years.

Commissioners are looking at a long-term master plan before moving forward with millions in expansion and renovations. They approved about $50 million earlier this year to expand the detention center and are waiting for options to increase office space and county departments. Those options and the price tag will help the commissioners determine their route and the final cost, which will be funded by bonds or a funding authority.