ELKHART COUNTY — Major improvements are underway at the nearly 150-year-old Elkhart County courthouse.

It will get a number of improvements and upgrades to the security system.

Many consider the courthouse in Goshen to be the face of Elkhart County. County business is conducted there, and many court cases tried there. Because of that, county officials want to make improvements to it. $200,000 has been set aside for security improvements.

“The world is not the same as it was back in the day the courthouse was constructed. We need to make significant upgrades to security, and we need to have a secure building for courts to take place and for employees to work,” said Jeff Taylor, county administrator.

“It’s an over 100-year-old building and was never meant to have electrical wiring. And so when you do work with security, it does add a little added expense. It’s important for our employees and our public who are there to be secure and safe,” said Frank Lucchese, county commissioner.

A second appropriation, also for $200,000, will be spent to make improvements inside the courthouse. Everything from painting, to new carpeting, to remodeling bathrooms, among other things. New furniture is also in the works for courts and some county offices.

“We’ve been meeting with the staff at the courthouse and some of the judges, and listening to some of their concerns. And their concerns are justified. If you’ve ever been in that building, you can see that a lot of repairs are needed,” said Taylor.

“It’s a historic building. We’ve done little pieces here and there. But it’s time to invest in trying to you know, just to make it look good,” said Lucchese.

By the way, the courthouse was built back in 1870. In some years improvements to it have been far and in between.

Source: WSBT