A project years in the making and under construction for nearly a year will have its formal ribbon cutting Friday. The ceremony for the McPherson County Building takes place Friday morning at 10 at 200 North Maple, with a community open house to follow until 1 PM.
The renovated building will house a number of offices now housed in the Courthouse including the County Clerk and Elections Office, County Treasurer, and Register of Deeds. Also moving there will be the County Appraiser, Human Resources, Information Technology, and administrative offices now housed in the Courthouse, along with Planning and Zoning which will move from the Public Works Facility on West Avenue A.
The facility, was originally constructed as a bank and later acquired by the county, has in the past housed offices for the County Attorney and Community Corrections, along with being used for County Commission meetings in recent years. County Commission meetings, which during the construction project have been held at the Public Works Facility, will now take place in a renovated 5th floor space it has used in the past.
It was designed to improve accessibility, efficiency and safety for both residents and county employees. It features a centralized public entrance and enhanced security measures. An adjoining parking garage will be utilized for employee parking, freeing up numerous spaces around the vicinity of the Courthouse.
McPherson County Commission Chairman Keith Becker said the county has been planning and preparing for this project for nearly a decade and represents an important investment in the future of McPherson County. “The renovated building gives us additional room, improved functionality, and a more secure environment so we can better serve the public today while preparing for the future needs of McPherson County,” Becker said.
The relocation of county offices will also provide expansion space for District Court offices, which currently occupy the top two floors of the Courthouse and, like other county offices, has been dealing with crowded conditions for many years.
FUQUA Construction Inc. served as the general contractor for the renovation and has worked with McPherson County on the project since the beginning, helping bring the county’s vision for the facility to life.
