SENECA COUNTY: Building and Renovation

SUBMITTED BY
MICHAEL J. KERSCHNER
SENECA COUNTY COMMISSIONER
BOARD PRESIDENT

Building and renovation are probably the best two words to describe the activity in Seneca County for the year of 2017. Work began early in the year on our new Justice Center and we are planning to have it complete by the end of January 2018. The structure will house every court in Seneca County, including the Municipal Court. We believe this is the first time, in the State of Ohio, that one building will handle all the County and Municipal Courts. This is a notable accomplishment since both the City of Tiffin and the County needed to collaborate on this project. This was no small task but we were able to agree on the structure and the cost in order to get this project to completion. The building is four stories with a total square footage of 36,000. It will be a focal point in the center of Tiffin with a total height of 235 feet including a statue of Lady Justice
atop the cupola. The County was also able to secure a $50,000 grant to complete some renovations at the Seneca County Museum. This was a great example of private/public funding as the Barnes-Deinzer Seneca County Museum Foundation assisted with the financing of this project for a total of more than $100,000 in improvements. The Seneca County Board of Elections also has a new home as they have moved across the hall into the former Hoperoy’s Hallmark Shop location. Their previous location provided them with 880 Square Feet while their new site is more than 3,100 Square Feet and includes a large, private area for early voting along with a conference room for their meetings and for the use of other county organizations.
The Seneca County Prosecutor’s Office has moved to 79 South Washington Street. This office is next door to the new Justice Center and provides space for the Victims Assistance personnel. The County will also be renovating the Justice Center Annex to accommodate Judge Jay Meyer’s Juvenile and Probate Courts. Looking to the future we have an ongoing Strategic Planning Committee with goals and objectives as they relate to Technology, Financing, Infrastructure and Building & Maintenance. We are quite proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the last 12 months and look forward to the challenges 2018 will bring.