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Justice Building remodeling moves ahead Jackson County has moved one step closer to remodeling the Justice Building in Medford. The project won't be finished until 2003, but when the dust settles, proposed changes will add efficiency and tightened security to the building that houses the county's courtrooms. Wednesday, the board of commissioners approved a $130,000 contract with architect Ron L. Grimes to conduct a space design study for the remodel. Jackson County will spend $1.1 million to $1.4 million to remodel the first two floors of the building. The county's contribution will come from a rainy-day fund, next year's general fund and the court security fund. A court security committee has agreed the county should add various equipment, including an X-ray machine and permanent metal detector for the project. When complete, the remodel will make room for an eighth judge and move most of the court's nontrial business to the first floor. Courtrooms will remain on the upper two floors. "It will be very convenient for the customers," said County Administrator Sue Slack. In May, a $2.1 million project to renovate the old Safeway building on West Main Street will end and open up space in the Justice Building. The county will move its parole and probation offices to the first floor of the old Safeway building, and the elections and emergency management departments to the second floor. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.