The age-herald., 1898-09-09
ANNEX TO THE
 COURT HOUSE Not Room Enough in the Present
 Building. RUSH OF CRIMINAL BUSINESS
This Court Will Be Located in the
 New Building.
IT WILL BE THREE STORIES
And Will Cost Something Like $25, ,ooO Constructed of Pressed Brick General Change in Quarters
 to Gain More Room

| In order to facilitate the transaction of the legal business of Jefferson county, the | board of county commissioners has decided to build an annex to the present magnih- | cent court house.
 For some time it has been apparent that the present building, which Is one of the most imposing structures of the kind in the south, and which was built few years ago. at a cost of 900. was inade- quate to the proper transaction of the con- stantly increasing business, which required attention.
 The question of solving these demands has proven problem for the commissions who have had the matter under con- sideration. It was suggested that the base- ment be fitted up for court purposes. but on account of the low ceiling and that even if the floor was lowered two feet, that it would still be unadaptable. It was also suggested that the dividing walls on the Third floor be removed and the whole floor be thrown into one large court room, but this was found mpracticable on ac- count of the expense which would be in- cured. the present dividing walls support ing the roof. After carefully considering the matter, the commissioners have con- cluded that an annex to be built on the present lot at the corner of Third alley and Twenty-first street is the most feasi- ble solution of the question, and to that end yesterday the commissioners consult ed with Major Charles Wheelock the architect, as to the cost of the proposed addition.
 Will Cost &25,OOO
 It is estimated that the cost of the new building will be about $25,OOO
 It will be built of pressed brick and stone, with terra cotta trimmings to con- form to the present building, and will be 33x75 feet, and three stories high, and will be used exclusively for criminal business
 The criminal court now occupies the, center court room in the present building, and account of the steady increase in this class of business, it Is thought that it is only a question of short time when another criminal court will have to be es- tablished, and it is proposed to make pro- vision for this in the annex to which the present criminal court will be moved
 Plans and estimates will at once be maQe, ana IL IS prODdDle tndt tHe WoIh will be begun in short time.
 Change in Onces
 Pending the erection of the new building, there will be a swapping of offices in the present court house. Criminal court will likely be moved to the rooms now occu- pied by the chancery court on the first floor, and the chancery court will occupy the present office of the criminal court clerk.
 The first division of the city court will remain in it's present quarters. the west wing of the second floor. and the second division, which is now held on the third floor will be moved to the present criminal court room on the second floor
 The circuit court, which occupies the east wing of the second floor will remain un- changed
 It is the intention of the commissioners to make these changes at once in order to facilitate the business of the fall terms soon to begin