FAYETTEVILLE — Having all of Washington County’s circuit courts operating in one location probably won’t happen anytime soon, but Washington County Judge Marilyn Edwards says she’s not writing off the idea entirely.
“I know a lot of people would like to see all the judges in one building,” Edwards said. “I will not close the door on that suggestion but, right now’s not the time with the economy the way it is.”
The county has put in place a committee assigned the task of developing a strategic and long-range planning review. It’s looking at all options.
“I do think that, long range, all the judges should be under one roof, except the juvenile judge,” committee member and local attorney John Everett said.
Everett said his thoughts are based on both economic, judicial efficiency and space considerations.
One thought is converting the Quorum Court meeting room, on the second floor of the Washington County Courthouse, into a courtroom for a new circuit judge. A plan proposed by former County Judge Jerry Hunton would have built a judicial complex on the county’s south campus, near the jail and juvenile court facility. The facility would have housed judges, prosecutors and public defenders.
“Right now, with money as tight as it is, it’s something we’re going to have to look at very carefully,” Edwards said. “There’s a lot of pros and cons on that. You’ll find I’m pretty thrifty.”
The other side of the coin is that at least two of the current judges already have other plans. Circuit Judge Mary Ann Gunn will move back into a renovated courtroom in the Historic Washington County Courthouse when it’s done. Gunn’s courtroom, home to the county’s drug court program, has moved across the street and down College Avenue to the Judicial Annex until the renovation is complete.
Everett pointed out that while Gunn has been instrumental in the courthouse renovation project and obviously has a deep love for the building, the judge who succeeds her may not share her feelings about the space.
Juvenile Judge Stacey Zimmerman is ensconced at the Juvenile Detention Center at the county’s south campus on Clydesdale Drive. That building allows for all juvenile court proceedings to be self-contained, requiring no transportation of juveniles to a separate court.
The courtroom built in the judicial annex for Gunn’s temporary relocation will house a newly elected judge, under current plans.
Edwards said she’d still consider getting rid of the judicial annex — the former Terminella Building purchased just last year — if the price was right. And, she’d still like to have the Fulbright Building, which is the former Fayetteville Public Library site adjacent to the county courthouse.
“If I could get my money back, I’d consider trading it,” Edwards said of the annex. “But, we still can’t afford the Fulbright Building and land.”
The judicial annex would be easier to sell because of its frontage on College Avenue but it doesn’t offer much parking, Edwards said.
Edwards said the economy is, obviously, the biggest obstacle to any plans right now.
“It’ll be back, we know that,” Edwards said. “We know it might not be in the time I want it or you want it, but it’ll be back.”
The committee appointed by Edwards includes Dan Short, Edwards’ chief of staff, Sheriff Tim Helder, Circuit Judge Mary Ann Gunn, county Treasurer Roger Haney, Justice of the Peace Micah Neal, Everett and Fayetteville Alderman Bobby Ferrell. They’re primarily charged with looking at the county’s use of office space, courthouse security, parking and a master plan for the county’s property in south Fayetteville.