Bartholomew County eyes purchase of building to replace youth center

Bartholomew County is moving forward with a plan to buy an existing building to house the youth services center.

Bartholomew County Commissioners said Monday that the county is in negotiations to acquire and renovate a community building to serve as a replacement for the aging center off of Illinois Avenue. They approved contracts yesterday with Taylor Brothers Construction Company and atelierRisting engineering and architecture firm to plan for renovating the building.

The two companies will work together on a feasibility study for the Bartholomew County Youth and Family Connections Center, formerly known as the county youth services center, with Taylor Brothers paid $19,000 and atelierRisting would be paid $42,000.

Commissioners President Tony London said that the county has looked at several options before reaching the decision to purchase an existing building and settled on this as the correct choice. Those included renovations of the existing building and constructing a new center. He said the county has found a building that officials think will work for the purpose but need to ensure that it will work before making the commitment to purchase it.

County officials did not identify the building under consideration as negotiations are still underway. Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz said county officials want to be as public as they can be, without leading to a bidding war for the building.

The county has budgeted more than $14 million for the project. The feasibility study is set to be completed by March 2nd.

Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County