By MARYBETH
NIEDERKORN
Southeast Missourian
JACKSON, Mo. -- A new justice center is planned in Jackson to house court functions for the 32nd Judicial District and Cape Girardeau County, and after the Jackson Board of Aldermen granted a special-use permit for the structure at Monday's regular meeting, the project can move forward.
The special-use permit allows for a new courthouse building up to four stories, 75 feet high. The county has not submitted plans for the structure because two design-build teams are creating competing bids for the project, County Commissioner Charlie Herbst said when addressing the aldermen during the public hearing for the special-use permit.
Two applicants are preparing a plan each for the new facility, Herbst said, and each plan will be scored on scope, function and overall design.
Context sensitivity will be important, Herbst added: How does the proposed building fit in the neighborhood?
"The Commission has communicated this to the design teams," Herbst said.
Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization president Darren Burgfeld and historic preservation commission chairman Greg Yielding both spoke to the county's need for a new facility. Both organizations urged the county to consider creating a new facility with maximum space, efficiency and security while keeping an eye to design complementing existing historic structures in the area.
Jackson city attorney Tom Ludwig said there is a division of labor with this project between the City of Jackson and the county commission.
The commissioners will choose a design-build team and will review the plan, ultimately approving the design.
The City of Jackson will have no say in the aesthetics of the building, Ludwig said, only in granting or denying the special-use permit for the structure's height.
"Everyone has a job here," Ludwig said, and, according to state law, the city's role is to determine land use, and the county commissioners' job is to approve or disapprove a design they receive and the amount of money they receive to fulfill their goal.
"My problem is voting on this without a design, and I know they can't design without an approval," Alderwoman Katy Liley said.
The motion to approve the permit passed 6 to 1, with Liley the only "nay" vote.