Ross Commissioners Consider Future For Former Bank Building & Law Complex
Article Presented By The Bean Foundation…
The Ross County Commissioners are considering the future of two county owned properties that could change the landscape and county government service locations in Downtown Chillicothe.
The commissioners are looking at what to do with the former CNB/LCNB Building on Main Street, which currently houses the county prosecutor’s administrative offices. The desire is to get that office returned to the Ross County Courthouse for a central location with the court system.
Everson said the county’s “non-judicial administrative offices” could be moved out of the courthouse to a location elsewhere in the city, which includes several options. Among the options discussed include using the former bank building for those offices, or place them elsewhere, such as the Foulk Block or in the former Big Bear Building in Central Center. The option of emptying the former bank building, which was built in 1959, could include the possibility of selling it or demolishing the building and constructing a parking garage.
Commissioner Jack Everson, who appeared on the Litter Media Special Edition interview Thursday morning, said the board of commissioners hope to have a decision on the former bank building’s future before the end of 2025.
An idea being discussed for another county building is whether to relocate the Ross County Law Complex to land near the Ross County Fairgrounds. This option would include construction of a new complex and jail on that site north of Chillicothe. Everson said the issue with the current jail location has become a “capacity issue” for it’s current 150 prisoner limit. A new site outside Chillicothe could house up to 250 prisoners. Commissioner Everson said that plan would come with a substantial price tag and will take much more discussion before making a final decision.
In his interview, Commissioner Everson also spoke on the county’s budget, county-wide fire and EMS services, property taxes, and zoning.
Watch our complete interview with Ross County Commissioner Jack Everson by clicking below:
