JACKSON, Mo. (WSIL) --- A horse and buggy was a popular mode of transportation during the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse's inaugural year.
But enough has changed since 1908 for county commissioners to consider building a new courthouse to replace the 112-year-old structure.
"We began in 2013 with a capital improvement strategy plan for the county," said associate county commissioner Charles Herbst. "Something needed to be done."
Residents gave their input to the county and decided that it needed a new courthouse. So the county passed a 'use tax' in 2015, with revenue going to the new building. Construction on the new courthouse began in late 2018, costing the county around $20 million, Herbst said.
The county is also contracting with the State of Missouri's prison system, meaning inmates build all the furniture that will lie in the courthouse. County employees assemble the furniture.
"Once they get all this furniture in... the contractor will put in all the audio-video equipment, speakers, microphones that type of thing," Herbst said.
The new facility will house six courtrooms, nine holding cells, and private areas for judges, attorneys, and jury. A notable feature is a corridor that connects the courthouse to the sheriff's office and jail.
Once completed, officers can use the walkway to transport prisoners to court without taking them onto public street and risk contraband getting into the jail.
"Persons that are incarcerated that haven't made their bond" will be transported through the corridor before court Herbst said.
Commissioners will ponder the future of the old courthouse and make a decision on what to do with it later this year. The new courthouse will open in late April or early May.
