AN OLD FRIEND enjoyed saying things like “The only constant in life is change.” Aside from the fun of invoking some mind-bending irony, this friend thought it important to remind those around him that what made sense yesterday doesn’t always make sense today.
That comes to mind when considering what to do with the courts system in Benton County, or more specifically, where to put that courts system.
County Judge Bob Clinard says the better, more efficient and safer place for the county’s six circuit judges and related judicial functions is a brand new building out on Southwest 14th Street in Bentonville, right next to the Benton County Jail.
Others, among them members of the legal community, would like to see improved courtrooms and new facilities near where they already exist: on or close to the Bentonville square.
While almost everyone agrees that the current court facilities need significant upgrades, the rub remains determining the wisest approach.
The current main courthouse, built in 1928, is no longer up to the job of serving Benton County. That’s not the fault of the people who designed and built it more than 80 years ago. They had no idea that their home county would eventually grow into Arkansas’ second largest by population in 2015, or that the case load would demand six fully staffed circuit courts (not to mention a large prosecuting attorney team, public defenders and various support personnel). They never considered that some day, the county would have to operate courtrooms in several buildings in downtown, some in spaces they have to lease. They also never envisioned the need for handicap accessibility, wiring to support computers of all sorts and modern-day security measures. And the thought of a worldclass art museum, a five-star hotel and thriving arts and entertainment district near the square? Don’t be silly.
Operating the county’s judicial functions downtown made perfect sense in 1928. But the reality is, it doesn’t make as much sense today. And that’s a problem for a lot of people.
Another plan presented to the justices of the peace would keep the courts downtown in more modern facilities, albeit at a higher price. It also wouldn’t completely resolve the issue of having all the courts in one building or improve the parking situation that plagues downtown.
Clinard is doing his job by presenting the county with options that include moving the courts off the square. The price to build what’s needed — a single building housing all judicial offices and courts with plenty of parking
— is far cheaper outside of downtown: About $24 million compared to $32 million. Those are factors the Quorum Court must consider when deciding how to proceed with modernizing facilities.
To be frank, the arguments for keeping the courts downtown are largely based on sentiment and emotion: “The courts have always been on the square; we’re losing that small-town atmosphere; what will happen to the downtown if the government moves out?”
It’s important to note that Clinard’s plan doesn’t call for moving all county offices out of downtown, just the judicial offices. And, he doesn’t advocate abandoning the historic courthouse, but renovating it for other governmental uses.
Let’s also be clear about this: Bentonville’s downtown will be just fine. Bentonville’s downtown is rapidly becoming more about the arts than it is about governmental institutions. No one should be concerned that businesses will flee if the courts move off the square.
We’ll even concede that there’s value to sentiment and tradition. We fully understand why many people like the idea of all the county government functions remaining together. It certainly does makes things convenient for those folks who have business with the county administration and the courts. We can’t say we’re thrilled with the prospect of the courts moving out.
On the other hand, taxpayers must understand that sentiment and tradition can be expensive. The county will get less at a higher price if the courts stay downtown. That’s why it’s important for the Quorum Court to explore all the options before deciding how to move forward.
But move forward the county must. The method will surely depend on how the taxpayers and the Quorum Court members weigh the merits of sentiment vs. practicality.
WHAT’S THE POINT?
The decision on where to build new, modern work spaces for Benton County’s judicial system will come down to a choice between efficiency and sentiment.