BENTONVILLE -- Benton County planners on Wednesday agreed to delay consideration of a proposed courts building until a consultant being sought for the project submits their report.
"I would suggest that, until something happens and someone has a decision," Starr Leyva, Planning Board member, said during the board's discussion. "As we see with the Quorum Court, it changes."
John Sudduth, general services administrator, said the county is seeking architects with experience designing courts buildings to act as a consultant on the project. The county has advertised a request for qualifications and County Judge Bob Clinard said he expects to begin considering the replies before the end of the month.
Ashley Tucker, another board member, wanted to be sure the members didn't form opinions on the project in advance if the Planning Board will be considering it as it does other projects.
"If we have jurisdiction, I'd almost rather not hear it until we have some proposal," Tucker said.
Mark Curtis, board chairman, said the Planning Board will review the project for compliance with rules and regulations but won't have the final decision.
"The final say-so is with the county judge," he said.
The county has been considering possible locations for a new courts building in downtown Bentonville and on Southwest 14th Street. Clinard favors the 14th Street location, citing ease of construction with no disruption of courts and other offices during construction and no need to design a building to fit into a lot.
The Quorum Court has expressed support for keeping the courts and related offices downtown, as have the Walton Family Foundation, Downtown Bentonville Inc. and other downtown interests. The foundation has given a $2.9 million grant to help renovate the courthouse and offered another $2 million to offset construction costs for a downtown courts building.
The downtown options were called into question recently when the six circuit judges sent Clinard and the justices of the peace a letter saying they couldn't support the downtown plans because of concerns over security, access for the public and judicial system employees, parking and expansion.
NW News on 11/19/2015