Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 26, 1995                   TAG: 9507260027
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EXPANDED COURTS FACILITIES TO BE DEDICATED SEPT. 2

It will be the first time all the courts have been in one location since a fire destroyed the interior of the old stone courthouse - site of the General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations courts - on Dec. 29, 1989.

The county Board of Supervisors set the dedication date Monday night. Retired Virginia Supreme Court Justice Alex M. Harman Jr. of Pulaski County is to be the main speaker.

The county actually has two courthouses, the historic Old Courthouse and a separate brick building constructed next to it in 1958. The brick structure was not damaged by the fire, but the county decided to expand it while restoring the stone structure.

County voters passed a $2.9 million bond issue for the courthouse work in 1991, after rejecting a more ambitious $4 million bond issue for courts in a referendum the previous year. Restoration of the Old Courthouse was funded largely through insurance proceeds.

The Old Courthouse has since reopened, but no longer houses any courts. The offices of treasurer, commissioner of revenue and registrar, which had been farmed out to different locations during the restoration, now occupy it along with displays of historic interest.

County officials decided to put all their court facilities into the brick courthouse, expanding it from 15,500 square feet to 28,500 square feet and making other improvements. The work has taken more than two years.

The General District and juvenile courts had been relocated first to the County Administration Building. Circuit Court facilities remained in the brick building until construction work started early in 1993. All courts then moved to the former Hub Furniture building on East Main Street (Virginia 99), which the county had leased and renovated for temporary use.

Part of the Virginia 99 building was already occupied by the Brush Arbor Worship Center and, more recently, the Emmanuel Bookstore has opened there.

The courts will move back downtown to the brick building at 45 Third St., behind the Old Courthouse facing Main Street. Courts will close for moving Aug. 18, with the circuit judge's chambers reopening in their new location Aug. 18, the courtrooms Aug. 22, and the clerks' offices Aug. 23.

Actual construction is to be completed this month along with furniture installation.

The work on both structures was recommended and has been overseen by a Courthouses Committee composed of Chairman Alan Groseclose, architect Thomas Douthat, Dallas Cox, County Administrator Joe Morgan, Commissioner of Revenue Maynard Sayers, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judge William Thomas and Supervisor Mason Vaughan.

Another building discussed at the supervisors' meeting was the former Jefferson School, which houses a number of public and private offices and had been scheduled for closing if New River Community Action, the major renter, moved elsewhere.

Community Action has decided to maintain its office in the building and hold its Head Start classes there in September. The rental income will be enough to justify roof repairs and other maintenance on the building.

The county will decide a year at a time on maintaining the building. County Administrator Joe Morgan said it is likely that its occupants will eventually find new quarters.