By Gage Miskimen
A new year will mean improved security measures at the Johnson County Courthouse.
The courthouse, completed in 1901, will have an additional security entrance installed on its west side featuring a metal detector. Two full-time deputies will staff the entrance. The project is scheduled to be finished by February.
Johnson County Supervisor Terrence Neuzil said the top priority in making improvements to the courthouse is enhancing security. Previous proposals to renovate the courthouse that required a supermajority of voter support failed, and local activists have spoken out against renovation because of criminal-justice concerns.
“This is a long time coming,” he said. “By February, residents will have to go through a new entryway in which they will be greeted by Johnson County sheriff deputies and will have to go through a metal detector to enter the facility.”
Johnson County Supervisor Mike Carberry said the courthouse is insecure and cramped, which could cause problems.
“I think the entrance is much needed,” he said. “We have to mix criminals with judges and the public in these tight quarters, and that could bring issues.”
Carberry said everyone he’s talked to thinks the improved entrance is needed.
“People have spoken and the supervisors have listened and done a lot of research,” he said. “We got the message, and we are taking care of it. People will feel more secure.”
Neuzil said the supervisors are making sure no damage is done to the historically protected building.
“We took a very strong stance, and we want to know existing damage to the building,” he said.
He said the project is expected to be in the $300,000 range.
Kennedy Construction has been hired to take on this project, and owner Mark Kennedy said this project has been in the works for a long time.
“It takes more time than you would think,” he said. “I think the county is just really pleased that this is off the ground finally.”
Kennedy said the entrance will be attached to the building conceptually but is a separate structure mechanically.
“We can’t technically drill the stone or disturb any of that,” he said. “It’s a bit of a challenge. We are not going to attach the structure we are building to the historical building. We will use building techniques that are noninvasive.”
Kennedy said the entrance is designed to be similar to airport security.
“You’ll have the X-ray machine with a conveyor in which you put your bags or briefcase on,” he said. “Then you’ll walk through a metal detector to get into the building.”
Neuzil said the new entrance would require a little bit of adjustment among residents.
“People are going to have to give themselves extra time to get in line to get in the building and make sure they aren’t bringing any contraband in that would affect the detectors,” he said.
He said everyone seems satisfied by the plan to put the entrance in.
“Considering where we were in the conversation before and where we are today, the residents are pretty happy with what we decided to go with.”
