Valley County Commissioners approved the purchase of a building that they hope to use for courthouse operations.
Last year, the county adopted its County Master Facilities Plan, which looks at building space needs to ensure facilities keep up with growth. The plan includes the need for more courthouse space.
The idea is to alleviate that need with the AmerTitle building at 700 S. Main Street in Cascade. The county prosecutor’s office currently leases space in the building.
The county commissioners approved the purchase of the AmerTitle building last week for less than expected — how the building will be utilized is still being worked out.
AmerTitle
Back in March, when the county first started to consider the purchase, it was expected to cost around $3.3 million. The county was able to purchase the building for around $2.7 million.
The MFP considered building a new courthouse. The cheaper option for the county was the AmerTitle building.
“The $2.7 is a phenomenal purchase on our part,” Commissioner Elting Hasbrouck said. “I think it’s going to really bring a lot of growth for the county, down the road, 10-15, 20-30 years, who knows… Just know that we couldn’t have built that facility for that price. And I think we’ve got a heck of a deal and I think it would be a mistake not to buy it.”
The building will need to undergo some repairs, including work on the elevator and parking lot. The maintenance costs will be on the county.
AmerTitle’s lease expires in February 2025.
What’s next?
There are also still many questions surrounding the purchase that the commissioners will answer as this process moves forward: What areas will be remodeled? What courthouse operations will move? Which will stay at 219 Main Street?
The current courthouse holds the planning and zoning department, the building department, the assessor’s office, the DMV, and more.
Commissioners are considering holding a workshop to go over project details.
