About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 26, 2019)
Page 2, August 26, 2019, The Islander 1 AGE 2 N Courthouse committee Continued from Page 1 to review a space needs study done by the Heery consulting company sev eral years ago. The study took several county facilities into consideration including the courthouse, the Harold Pate Annex, Office Park and the for mer detention center, which has since been demolished. The BOC agreed and Chairman Mike Browning (Dist. 1) appointed a committee of local experts including former federal law enforcement offi cial Ralph Basham, who has served as the head of four of the eight U.S. De partment of Homeland Security agen cies and was Director of the Secret Service, former Glynn Sheriff Wayne Bennett, former banker Jack Hart man, contractor Billy Lawrence and architect John Tuten. After site visits at the courthouse and Office Park, which houses the Ju venile Court, the committee met last Thursday, August 22 to discuss their findings and decide what should be the next step. County Commissioners Alan Book er (Dist. 5) and Peter Murphy (Dist. 2) also attended. Basham talked about their site visits, saying they had spoken to the people who were affected by space and security issues. He said the space and security is sues definitely needed to be addressed. “The question is,” said Basham, “What is the next step?” Former Sheriff Bennett, who is very knowledge able of the court house, said that security is espe cially an issue on the second floor. “It’s not safe for the judges,” he said. Project cost was a big part of the discussion. The Heery study, done in 2014, listed three options. Option A is off the table be cause it called for renovating and using the now-de molished deten tion center. Options B and C, which were recommended, were both in the $34 to $35 million range. Everyone agreed that the 5 year old estimated cost would probably be higher now. Commissioner Murphy said if SPLOST 2020 is a 5-year tax, it could bring in between $100 and $120 million. Murphy said nothing was set in stone but they could be talking about $40 to $50 million for the courthouse project, once inflation was included. Tuten agreed that $50 million was probably realistic with inflation on a 5 year old study. Tuten also said the study was well ordered and almost a master plan for the project. Lawrence suggested doing the proj ect in phases, an idea with which Mur phy agreed. As an example, Murphy suggest ed building the structure with 3 or 4 floors and finishing out the first two and doing the rest later when more money was avail able, for example another SPLOST. ‘We could do part now,” said Murphy, “and then ask the vot ers for the rest in five years.” Murphy did say the only way to raise this much money was with the SPLOST. He said, “I’m not sure if this will pass muster with the voters. That’s why we’re coming to you, the experts, for your opinion on this.” Note: The courthouse itself was built with SPLOST 2 funds, back in the early 1990s. Basham stressed that in his opin ion the security issues needed to be addressed in the short term. Turn to Page 6 Courthouse committee The county’s Courthouse Needs Assessment Committee met last week with County Commissioners Allen Booker (Dist. 5) and Peter Murphy (Dist. 2). Committee members included: (left to right) Ben Hartman, John Tuten, Booker, Billy Lawrence, Ralph Basham and Wayne Bennett. Murphy is to Bennett’s left. Coming September 2 THE Islander 2019 Football with Dave Jordan Covering Glynn Academy, Brunswick High, Frederica Academy, Georgia Bulldogs, all SEC teams Unleash Your Backyard Gourmet! No other outdoor cooker can match the quality and versatility of a Big Green Egg. Grilling, Roasting, Baking or Smoking - it truly is The Ultimate Cooking Experience! Island L BigGreenEgg.com eCOPITWSHT BIG GREET! EGG ICC tC£ Hardware 1701 Frederica Road • St. Simons Island • 912-638-3800
