Header photo courtesy of Madison County KY Facebook page, taken by Wm Grise.
By Kelly McKinney
Richmond In-Depth
The first major renovation of the Madison County Courthouse since 1965 will soon be completed.
The $17 million project included updating the building to strictly serve judicial functions, adding an extension that includes a carport, and adding secure parking for judges. Updates to the building were also added to bring the structure into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Madison County Judge-Executive Reagan Taylor said.
“We’re excited to get it done,” Taylor said.
The county first planned to undertake renovations in 2019, but Covid delayed the project.
One of the major upgrades to the facility is the new carport, which will allow inmates to be driven to the courthouse and unloaded in a secure area.
An extension to the Madison County Courthouse includes a new carport that will allow inmates to be unloaded securely and be taken to a secure waiting area for their court appearances. (Photo by Kelly McKinney)
Taylor said having the carport will stop the practice of walking handcuffed inmates across the street from the detention center to the courthouse.
“It makes it safer for the inmates and for everyone else,” he said.
The addition also includes space above the carport that will house some circuit court administrative areas.
The area shown above will house circuit court employees. Windows are included in the separating safety glass for public to receive assistance. (Photos by Kelly McKinney)
The building previously housed several of the county’s administrative functions in addition to court. It will now serve strictly circuit court functions.
The courthouse will have two circuit courtrooms. The existing courtroom was updated, including the addition of Kevlar in the judge’s bench, Taylor said. A new courtroom was added. An existing smaller hearing room remains on the third floor.
Left, Madison County Judge-Executive Reagan Taylor explains that the existing courtroom, left and center, was updated to include Kevlar in the judge’s bench and was newly painted, among other updates. A new courtroom, right, was added.
Secure inmate areas were built on the first and second floors for those waiting for their court appearance. Private areas where inmates can meet with their attorneys also were added on each of those floors.
One of the new secure inmate waiting areas is pictured above, left, along with one of the newly added areas for inmates to consult with their attorneys, right. (Photos by Kelly McKinney)
A control room houses security camera monitors and controls for the building’s elevators, among other security items.
Added elevators serve the first through third floors. A chair lift was added to allow wheelchair users access to the basement.
Taylor said preserving the building’s historical significance was prioritized during construction. The original staircases were kept. Handrails were added with the use of brackets so original woodworking could be maintained.
A screenshot of a video update of the project, shared on the Madison County website in November 2023, shows one of the two original staircases in the Madison County Courthouse.
An original wood beam in the ceiling where the new courtroom is located was kept, though it was covered due to being charred from a fire. Covered steel beams were added to support the ceiling.
Other updates included adding more than 50 security cameras, including some to the courthouse lawn.
Metal detectors will be added to the entrance, which will be staffed with security.
Citizens have expressed worry that the courthouse will no longer be freely open to the public, but the building will still have public spaces, Taylor said. Parts of the building will be locked and closed to the public, but some areas remain open to the public.
“The public is welcome to come into the courthouse at any time,” Taylor said.
A 2021 Memorandum of Understanding between the county and the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts for the project called for it to be paid for with bonds, which were to be repaid by the AOC.
That MOU required that the building be used only for judicial services. The project at that time was estimated to cost just under $12.5 million.
The project was overseen by Integrity Architecture of Lexington.
The last major renovation of the courthouse was undertaken in 1965, when additions were added to each side of the building.
Move-in is slated for the week of May 5 through May 12. Circuit court offices, which have been housed on Main Street, will be closed for that week. Those needing assistance with circuit court matters can contact the Madison County District or Family courts.
For more coverage by Richmond In-Depth, visit richmondindepth.substack.com.
As seen in the photo on above, an addition that includes a new carport was added to the Madison County Courthouse as part of a $17 million renovation. The photo on the right shows the courthouse before the renovations. (Photos courtesy Madison County).
