FARMINGTON -- The administrative heart of Davis County is officially on the road to a new configuration of buildings and services. That means a new look for a county campus, in Farmington, that has not changed in three decades.
Davis County commissioners on Tuesday unveiled the beginning plans for a new $13.2 million county administration center. It includes demolishing three buildings on the county campus at Main and State streets.
"This particular project will serve Davis County for generations to come," said Commissioner Bret Millburn.
The commission approved additional money for a Salt Lake City architectural firm to complete plans to also construct three buildings on existing land at that corner.
Included in the proposal is keeping intact the Davis County Memorial Courthouse, a historic facility first built in 1931 that now houses the county's primary services. The building was last added onto in 1978.
The new configuration is part of a mini building boom for the county and part of a "musical chairs" arrangement of existing buildings.
For example:
- The new $9 million administration center likely will be built south of the existing courthouse.
- The new headquarters branch of the Davis County Library system will be attached to the new county administration center. Library cost: $3.2 million.
- Also new to the campus will be a Children's Justice Center, which is less than a block away from the courthouse.
Commissioners said a variety of factors, including low interest and construction rates, propelled them to expand their building plans and rebuild the campus.
"It would be foolish to not have explored this and not take the next step," said Commissioner Louenda Downs.
Commission members point out the new administration building, at 72,000 square feet, will be smaller than the current courthouse because of efficiencies being designed into the facility.
Being demolished at the campus is the environmental health building, the current health building and the library, which is east of the courthouse.
Davis County Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings said money from the county reserves and the sale of bonds will pay for the new construction and other changes. A new elections center is also planned for the main building.
What will be done with the courthouse has not been determined, Millburn said. But he added that retrofitting the courthouse to meet standards for seismic safety would have cost the county millions of extra dollars.
The plan is for the architectural firm to finish next fall. Campus construction would be completed within the next two years.
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