County officials want complex completed in two years

County officials hope to complete a new criminal justice complex near the Unit II detention center within the next two years.

The 50,000-square-foot complex, which would be the first phase in replacing the Faulkner County Courthouse at 801 Locust St., is expected to house courtrooms, judges' chambers and eventually the Faulkner County Sheriff's Office, officials said.

Justices of the peace passed a resolution Tuesday night in an 11-1 vote to begin replacing the courthouse with two facilities. County Judge Preston Scroggin said the process could take 10-15 years.

The next step, Scroggin said, is to schedule meetings with engineers and architects to begin planning the criminal justice complex. Scroggin said these meetings will take place in the next four to six weeks.

JP Dan Thessing said one possible design for the complex would resemble the second Faulkner County Courthouse, which was damaged by fire in 1932.

County officials plan to build the complex with proceeds from the County General 4.5-mill tax and a $5 million line of available credit. Once the debt is repaid, Thessing said plans would go forward on constructing the administrative complex.

JPs have two options on where to locate the administrative complex: the site of the current courthouse or another location.

But area preservationists hope something can be done to save the deteriorating courthouse.

Nancy Allen, a member of Coalition for the Historic Courthouse Community Center, said members of her organization believe the courthouse is in "less desperate state than has been depicted."

Allen acknowledged that the building was in need of serious repairs.

"Faulkner County employees cannot continue to work in that building," Allen said. "But some of us think we can still put that building to community use."

Allen said the coalition is conducting a feasibility study and the group is applying for tax-free status that will allow CHCCC to solicit donations and apply for grants.

"We believe there are grant options out there," Allen said. "If we do our jobs right, I think we stand a chance" at saving the structure.

County officials aren't opposed to the courthouse being repurposed.

"If they come up with a figure, I'm sure the court would look at it," Scroggin said.

"The possibility of someone buying that building hasn't been realistic to us," Thessing said. "If someone can funnel some money to this organization to maintain that building, that would be wonderful. But the money the court has to spend will be spent a different way.

"For safety's sake, we've been told to get those people out of there as fast as you can," Thessing said. "How can you argue with that?"

The decision on whether to raze the present courthouse doesn't have to be made now, Scroggin said.

"We're probably seven years out from a final decision on that," Scroggin said.

"We still have some time," Allen said. "Conway hasn't always been very good at preserving its history. But we think there are still viable options for that building to serve the community."