Sunday, September 05, 1999
Justice center won't displace businesses
Boone Co. to use alternate site
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — Progress on Boone County's new justice center is moving steadily, and the good news for some longtime Burlington businesses is that they won't be displaced.
County officials have already closed on three properties behind the planning commission building on the corner of Ky. 18 and East Bend Road. They still have two more properties to go.
“Without question, this is the site,” said Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore.
The county had been looking to put the new justice center across the street from the current administration building, which would have displaced the Little Place Restaurant, a Kentucky Farm Bureau insurance office and Earl's Barber Shop, a fairly new business.
Although the county had plans to relocate the three in Burlington if that site was chosen, business owners and customers say they're happy to stay right where they are.
Estelle and Henry Nunn have owned the Little Place Restaurant for 28 years. Everybody from politicians to farmers eats there. It's the only restaurant in Burlington.
“I'm glad to see it stay right where it is,” said John Lunsford, a restaurant regular from Burlington.
And the insurance company won't have to change the slogan on business cards: “The courthouse is across from us.”
“I'm relieved,” said Mike Crane, agency manager of the insurance company. “The county judge told our farm bureau county president that we can go ahead and start remodeling.”
But there have been so many ups and downs, the business owners are still cautious. They also want to know if they have to share parking with the county.
“Never let your guard down because you don't know what's going to happen,” Mr. Crane said.
The new complex will relieve county officials and judges of crowded conditions at the county administration building and courthouse.
The facility will hold district and circuit courts, as well as judges' offices, clerk of courts offices and space for other court employees.
The $14 million to $15 million center will likely be a three-story, 60,000-square-foot building with room for an expansion if needed later.
It probably won't be until October that the fiscal court approves the design, but Boone County Administrator Jim Parsons said it will look like the other county buildings in Burlington, with a federal style.
“I think we're still on target for ground-breaking Jan. 1,” Mr. Parsons said. “We're on schedule to open by July 2001.”
Mr. Moore said for now the county will work around the businesses, but with the booming growth of the area around Burlington, officials will keep their eyes on the plots if they ever come up for sale.
“I believe they are happy that we've been willing to work with them and not force them to do something they weren't ready to do.” he said.
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