In 2001, the Cass County Board of Commissioners voted to construct a new Law and Courts Building, after twice failing to get voter approval on a millage question to support paying for a new structure.

In 2003, after the new building was completed, our old historic courthouse was shuttered and has been left vacant since then.

By 2009, mold was found to be growing on the walls throughout the building.

In 2013, a new board of commissioners approved $275,000 to remediate the mold problem and to address structural issues with the roof framing, and to re-roof the building.

Our current board of commissioners has been working diligently trying to determine the best path going forward to preserve our historic courthouse.

Town hall meetings were hosted throughout the county to solicit input from citizens about how best to put this building back into service. Over the last few months, I have participated in monthly forums, which were open to the public, discussing options such as retaining public ownership and private development.

They are currently considering another poll of residents of our county, in lieu of a formal millage request, to see if voters would support a bond millage question that would ask for $8 to 9 million to renovate this building.

The second option the commissioners are considering is selling the courthouse building. If there is clear support for this option, they would issue a request for proposal to developers, which would ask how the developer would adaptively re-purpose the building and what funding mechanisms would be used to take their idea to conclusion.

If the board did not get suitable responses to their request, they could choose to not accept proposals that were not suitable or agreeable.

To me this second option is preferable. It would achieve preservation of our old courthouse, with perhaps an additional building married to it, and it would be accomplished without an increase to taxpayers of their current taxes.

By divesting of this building, we would also save the estimated annual utilities cost of $50,000, if the heat and lights are turned back on.

I believe strongly in historic preservation and in adaptive re-use of buildings such as our courthouse. I urge you to think about the options being considered, and to contact your commissioner and express your thoughts.

Ronald R. McAdam

Cassopolis