Above is a rendering of the proposed new Union County Prosecutor’s Office shown at Wednesday night’s Marysville Design Review Board meeting. The project involves an expansion of the former Richwood Bank building on West Fifth Street.
(Image submitted)
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The Union County Prosecutor’s Office will be moving to a new home.
At its Wednesday meeting, the city’s design review board unanimously approved an application to expand the former Richwood Bank building on West Fifth Street to house its office. Marie McCauley, of Silling Architects, told the board about the 4,122-square-foot addition to that building.
“We’re about doubling the square footage, so we’re adding onto the east side and to the south side,” McCauley said.
Last year, officials projected the renovation will cost anywhere from $1.5 million to $2 million. Union County officials did not respond by press time with an updated projected cost.
The project, according to McCauley, has not gone out to bid yet.
McCauley said the addition will be more than 7,000 square feet.
The addition will match the materials and design of the existing structure.
Board member Michael Lynch asked why there were so many boulders around the building. McCauley said there’s a “safety concern for the windows in case of a vehicular attack.”
“The bottom portion of the windows are going to be (bullet resistant) glazing, but we also have large boulders,” she said. “We thought adding those security boulders are going to break it up.”
McCauley said the firm initially considered only installing boulders, but decided boulders would prove to be more attractive and serve the same purpose.
Board members said they liked the way the project looked. Member Tim Schacht said the project could give the building some “new life.”
McCauley also spoke to the board about a new entrance on the south side of the Union County Justice Center which is a separate project.
“This is needed for security,” she said.
The design has the southern entrance extending away from the building. This will give deputies a larger area to screen the public before they enter the courthouse.
The project will also expand the plaza in front of the entrance. Highlights of the plaza extension include brick pavers and new benches.
Board member Dana Gehman asked if there would be any change in handicap parking on the site. He said as it is, there are no convenient places for those with disabilities can use to get up on the sidewalk. He suggested a ramp near the handicap parking.
McCauley said that could be possible.
“We’ll definitely look at that,” she said.
Board member Scott Draughn asked if there will be buttons to open the doors for handicap residents. McCauley said there will be.
Schacht complimented the project, and said the design works well with the existing building.
“You’re making it easy on us,” he joked.
In other board news:
-The board unanimously approved an application for a new Marysville High School football stadium and track on Amrine Mill Road. Board members expressed concern that the handicap ramp was easy to miss. They suggested a ramp more toward the front of the entrance plaza and more signage.