NEW COURTHOUSE TAKES SHAPE

CHARLESTON -- After several delays and more than two years after it was destroyed by fire, a new Mississippi County Courthouse is finally taking shape at the location of its predecessor in downtown Charleston.

More than 100 members of the Grand Lodge of Missouri Ancient Free and Accepted Masons gathered Saturday to lay the cornerstone of the new building. The organization had also laid the cornerstone in the structure that burned.

"Masonic lodges have done cornerstone laying throughout their history," said Richard Reed. "This is a tradition in our history that we wanted to continue here at the new courthouse."

Contractors are past the halfway mark on the $2.4 million facility, which will be paid for with a three-year, half-cent sales tax, county funds and the insurance settlement from the fire. Completion is expected in September.

"If things keep going the way they're headed, we're really hoping for completion in September sometime," said presiding commissioner Jim Blumenberg. "We've got another five or six months of work."

The second floor and roof of the 96-year-old courthouse were destroyed by an early-morning fire in February 1997. Investigators soon determined the fire was deliberately set. The investigation is still open.

Almost immediately after the blaze came controversy over whether to restore the old courthouse or build a new one. A group of local residents fought to have the old building restored, obtaining petition signatures from residents, opinions from preservationists and even a court restraining order in their efforts. However, the three-member County Commission said factors like economics, safety and seismic preparedness caused them to favor new construction over restoration.

The restraining order, enacted in July 1997, was lifted in August after restoration supporter Hugh Hunter Byrd withdrew his court petition. Byrd said at that time he ended the matter because light voter turnout to consider the sales tax to finance construction indicated people weren't concerned about saving the old structure.

Blumenberg said the commission has attempted to preserve some aspects of the old structure. The former county jail that was connected to the old courthouse received minor damage in the fire, and will be converted to a permanent storage area and small holding area for prisoners that are going to court, he said.

Also, plans had been made to incorporate the tall columns from the old structure in the new buildings design. Although that wasn't possible, materials from the columns will be used to build a small gazebo in front of the new building.

Blumenberg said county residents have put the controversy over the new courthouse behind them and are eagerly awaiting completion of the new structure. "I don't think it's an issue anymore," he said. "The people voted to finance a new building, and that's what we're giving them."