Bartholomew County Court Services Center – Credit Steve Risting, 2022

Project Summary

In 2019, the City of Columbus adopted the Envision Columbus plan as part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The Envision Columbus plan focused on downtown development. The plan identified some catalytic projects for downtown Columbus, with one being the development of a new downtown Hotel Conference Center. The future location of the Hotel Conference Center is currently being discussed, with one option being the surface parking lot currently used for Bartholomew County employees and also previously for the Probation Department.

The Redevelopment Commission acquired the referenced County owned property. The acquisition agreement included building a new Court Services Center in exchange for ownership of the property for the future Hotel Conference Center development. The Redevelopment Commission agreed to contribute $1,500,000 toward the construction of a new facility and to finance anything over $1,500,000.

Timeline:

2020 Project Activity:

May 2020: Atelier Risting was engaged to develop design and architectural plans for a new Court Services Center.
4th Quarter 2020: The Redevelopment Commission issued a Request for Proposal for a general contractor, mechanical contractor and electrical contractor for the Court Services Building. Bids were received for the construction of the new Court Services Center.

2021 Project Activity:

1st Quarter 2021: The Redevelopment Commission closed and took possession of the future Court Services Building site and awarded the construction contract to Dunlap & Company and Barth Electric. Work began on the Court Services site with the demolition of the former Eynon Law Offices.
2nd Quarter 2021: Human bones found at the construction site for the new Court Services Center are taken to the University of Indianapolis for further study and are believed to be from the Adena culture.
3rd Quarter 2021: Foundation is poured, framing begins, roof trusses installed, interior and exterior sheathing completed, and exterior wall masonry efforts begin.
4th Quarter 2021: Service providers have been selected. Restroom plumbing is completed, masonry at the east and north elevations is completed, work begins on window frame installation, west patio foundations are poured, significant drywall and roof screen wall progress, continued duct work and electrical rough-in, earthwork is completed, and insulation efforts near 100%. Additionally, the CRC approves funding to relocate utilities from overhead to underground. The University of Indianapolis provides an update on their skeletal analysis of bones found at the Court Services Center site.

2022 Project Activity:

1st Quarter 2022: Interior drywall is nearly complete and framing for composite metal panels has reached 100%. Natural gas and heating have been turned on to the building. The south lot asphalt was being removed for the parking lot construction.
2nd Quarter 2022: Countertops and carpet were installed, and the interior painting was completed. The initial punch-list inspection was held. Sidewalks, parking lot asphalt, and striping is complete. The irrigation system has been successfully installed, final landscaping and sod have been planted and installed, and the final city and contractor inspections have taken place. Additionally, furniture has been delivered and installed.
3rd Quarter 2022: Final contractor re-inspection and Fire & Safety inspection, absent the IT relocation and connection. Remaining furniture was delivered and installed. Card reader installation completed, IT transfer initiated, and tentative move-in date anticipated in October.
4th Quarter 2022: The Bill of Sale and Parking Easement agreements were executed between the Redevelopment Commission and County. Additionally, the final re-inspection was completed, which allowed for the county employees to relocate into the new space and open for business at the new location.
November 2022: Final activity on the property transfers between the County and the Redevelopment Commission. The project is complete!