SANDUSKY COUNTY, OH (Toledo News Now) - A new courthouse has been approved for Seneca County and it may be built in a familiar place.
Despite residents putting up a fight, the 125-year-old courthouse in Tiffin was torn down in January of 2012. Since then, court proceedings have been split between the former county library and the annex building.
Commissioners say neither of those locations is a good fit. They don't have proper handicapped accessibility or enough security. So county leaders contracted a firm to do justice center study for a new building they say will meet the needs of citizens under one roof.
"We're calling this a 'justice center,' not necessarily a courthouse," said Commissioner Fred Zoeller. "It will be a one-stop-shop for all residents of Seneca County. They can go one place for their legal issues, for license fees, for the Clerk of Courts, for a lot of different things."
County commissioners are setting aside $400,000 to fund the justice center, and plan to save money for it over the next few years, too. They say some of the money could come from sales tax revenue or a 'general obligation' bond that would not require voter approval.
The new building will likely go up at the site of the former courthouse, according to commissioners.
