Crews at the Butler County Courthouse chopped down a hollow poplar tree Monday morning to make way for a new wheelchair ramp.
“It’ll be level with the street, so it’s not like the one around the side. That way, it’ll help our handicapped people get in and out of the courthouse and then go right to the elevator, and go right anywhere they want to go,” said Vince Lampe, county commissioner.
The new ramp will be on the south side of the courthouse. Construction begins this week. It is part of ongoing remodels and updates to the building, including new windows and central air.
“Once we get all our remodeling done, we’re wanting to try to clean up the yard a little bit, maybe plant a couple more (trees) on the north side over there,” Lampe said. “The courthouse looks amazing to me. Once we get it all cleaned and get everything done, it’ll be well worth the wait.”
No other tree removals are planned, he added.