HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Christian County Fiscal Court has revealed renderings and proposed plans for an elaborate restoration and renovation of a block of South Main Street where the courthouse is located. While a price tag was not disclosed, representatives from JRA Architects walked through plans to simultaneously modernize the area while embracing historical architecture.
The proposal to initiate a restoration on not just the Christian County Courthouse, but the entire block was first brought up back in March, with the design phase lasting for nearly six months. The ambitious plans include transforming the courthouse block into an “epicenter” by creating functional green spaces and community areas by utilizing existing space.
“This will bring a new energy and charge and really create a real destination with all the flexible spaces and really engaging all of the businesses,” Tim Graviss with JRA Architects told Christian County Now. He also that they are trying to create a safe, accessible, and comfortable space that ties together other community features like the Farmers Market and the greenway.
Plan specifics, interior and exterior goals
The scope of the proposed plan extends directly in front and behind the courthouse and includes shutting down an adjacent road to create more flexible space. They also plan to pave the road in the front of the building with brick paver inlays to visually tie the plaza together and create several pocket parks to soften the area.
On the list is restoring the courthouse fountain, re-installing a bell tower on top of the building, and creating a stage for events and live music while also accommodating food trucks.
Behind the courthouse on Weber Street, the design includes constructing a two-story parking garage that blends into the surrounding buildings with a streetscape design. The garage would have multiple entrances and a walking bridge that connects patrons to the courthouse.
Inside the courthouse, the fiscal court chambers will be restored to be as close to the original construction as possible, with plans to expose the original tin roof and brick walls. Accessibility was stressed as an important feature to incorporate on all levels of the building.
Unknown cost, city involvement and next steps
Now that plans, renderings, and drawings are completed, the fiscal court feels they will be able to properly present the project when they go out to seek funding. No estimate for cost was provided by the architecture firm or the magistrates, although they told Christian County Now that they are looking to finalize numbers soon.
“I don’t have a final number right now, there’s still a lot of survey work we have to do especially when it comes to getting into Weber Street,” Graviss told Christian County Now. Magistrates said they are aiming to secure federal and state dollars to fund this massive undertaking.
Magistrate George Barnett shared that while this is a county undertaking, he hopes it will inspire the City of Hopkinsville government to implement changes along the rest of the street. The block that the courthouse is built on, including The Alhambra and Weber Street buildings, is owned by the county. The rest of downtown is city jurisdiction.
Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam added that while they are hoping they can get the ball rolling on plans in one big renovation, it is also a possibility that the project will be broken up into phases over the next decade.
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