The new wing of the Mc-Intosh County Courthouse passed inspection by the State Fire Marshal’s office last week and permission was given to begin moving offices.

“Everything is done but for some touchup,” County Clerk Deena Farrow said. “The addon is complete and now we can start remodeling (the old building).” She said it is difficult to estimate how long the project will take because no one knows what problems will be discovered once work begins on the hundredyear -old building.

The current estimate is nine months, allowing for three months on each floor.

Once the renovation is completed, the floor plans will remain the same, but for the third-floor courtroom where major changes are planned, including removing the existing ceiling to expose the original ceiling.

A major change will be the addition of central heat and air. Currently, most offices have window units for AC.

Among the changes coming:

• The main entrance to the courthouse will once again be where the original entrance was on the east side of the building.

• Remodeled courtroom, judge’s chambers, jury room and more.

• The elevator operating system will be changed from hydraulic to electric, for a smoother, more dependable ride.

• More office space for all departments.

• New HVAC system that will allow removal of the dropped ceilings.

• Renovated restrooms.

• Roof alterations to stop leaks.

• New windows.

• Preservation of its historic look.

• Skylight over the central stairway.The skylight is the original skylight that was previously covered up at one point when the roof was fixed. They are restoring it back to life to preserve the original look of our courthouse.

Farrow said the layout of the floor plans in the building will be mostly the same, but a few walls will be removed for more office space. All offices will pretty much be in the same location as they are now, just with more room, except the DA Investigators office and the Judge’s offices. DA investigators will be moved across the hall from the DA’s office and the whole courtroom, jury room, and offices will have a new layout.

The courthouse has a new roof.

Construction of the west wing took almost two years.

The bottom floor of the three-story addition will serve as a public storm shelter. Its capacity is more than 400.

The west wing will add about 35 percent to the courthouse floor space. Currently, the building has about 17,000 square feet. The new addition has about 22,500 square feet.

For the next nine months or so offices in the old part of the courthouse will be moved to the new part while the old part is renovated.

When the renovation of the old part is finished, offices will spread out between the old and new buildings, giving each office more space.

Sounds confusing? It will take a lot of cooperation and patience to get through this project.

The operation will take place in stages, one floor at a time.

Movers have already begun moving the first floor – where the Election Board and County Assessors offices are located, as well as the meeting room for the county commissioners.

The Election Board will temporarily be located in the commissioners’ new meeting room on the first floor of the west wing, while the commissioners will hold their weekly meetings at the McIntosh County Criminal Justice Center (location of the county jail).

When the first floor has been renovated, work will begin on the second floor. When that one is finished, work begins on the third floor.

Officials estimate it will take three months to move-renovate-move again.

If that schedule is fol-lowed, things should be back to normal around Christmas.

Who are the movers? Election Board Secretary Kim Limbaugh, County Assessor Jennifer Ballard, County Treasurer Betty Whisenhunt, County Clerk Deena Farrow, Court Clerk Lisa Rodebush; Assistant District Attorney Sara Dupree; Associated District Judge Brendon Bridges; their staff, friends and relatives.

Jail trustees will be used.

Last week District 2 County Commissioner Clifford Mcelhaney and some of his employees were seen assisting in clearing out the office of the Election Board.

The project cost about $6.2 million, paid for with a combination of sales taxes approved by voters in 2006 and ARPA funds.

ARPA is the American Rescue Plan Act that supplied federal money to state governments during the COVID-19 crisis.

About $4.5 million for the project is secured through the half-cent sales tax approved in 2006 for a new county jail and for courthouse improvements, said former County Commissioner Monty Grider who was one of the strongest supporters of updating the courthouse.

The jail was paid for in May 2022, but no money had been spent on courthouse improvements, until now.