From staff reports

Nothing is certain yet, but it looks like the pieces are falling into place for an expanded county courthouse that would provide the needed jail and court improvements and extra space the county has needed for years.

Friday, December 21, 2001

Nothing is certain yet, but it looks like the pieces are falling into place for an expanded county courthouse that would provide the needed jail and court improvements and extra space the county has needed for years. Commissioners have not chosen a detailed plan yet, but a downtown addition is an idea that is on the right track.

After years of discussing nearly a dozen different schemes for a new or expanded downtown courthouse, the county board ventured off to explore an off-site court and jail this fall. They considered a joint judicial center with Mower County and also entertained the idea of a Freeborn-only center somewhere away from the current site. These plans had their benefits, but it seems that keeping all the current courthouse functions downtown has more. Public convenience, the health of downtown Albert Lea and the cohesion of county government are all reasons to keep the courthouse downtown.

The main problems that would go along with downtown expansion are land and parking. By deciding to demolish Western Grocery, commissioners have apparently taken care of the land issue. Parking can be solved by underground ramps beneath the new courthouse buildings.

Much still needs to be determined, however. If the commissioners do choose a scheme that includes downtown courthouse expansion, they must determine how the facility would be configured and what to do with the existing courthouse buildings. Making moves toward a decision, however, is a good start.