CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Commission is beginning to look for space in its Judicial Annex with new magistrates and circuit judge that will be added to the county in 2024.
West Virginia Legislature voted earlier this year to add three new magistrates and one new circuit judge to Kanawha County. That will make a total of 13 magistrates and 8 circuit judges in the state’s busiest circuit.
Right now, current judges say there is not enough space to accommodate the new members unless there’s a major interior shakeup at the judicial building in downtown Charleston.
Kanawha County magistrates, along with circuit and family court judges were all invited to the commission meeting last Thursday to offer their input on the new space needed.
The biggest concern from the judges who spoke was finding enough room for the three new magistrates. 100 square feet is needed for a Magistrate Court office, something required by the state Supreme Court.
A spokesperson for the Kanawha County Judicial Building said they and the judges browsed through the building to find possible areas to alter space that would fit the magistrates.
Ultimately, an architect or engineer will be selected and offer proposals on how to create the space for the new magistrates and circuit judge.
“We’ll have an engineer look at it and see what options they bring to us,” Commissioner Lance Wheeler said.
Approving of an architect to consider how the space will be created will have to go through a “5G” process, meaning a five-person committee will review the proposals submitted by architects, who will then be interviewed, with one being selected to work on the project. West Virginia code 5G-1-3 says engineering services shall go through a selection process to be considered for a construction project that costs $250,000 or more.
The state Supreme Court has also indicated it wants to be involved in the future layout of the space requirements made, according to Commissioner Ben Salango.
“We need to make sure any and all plans and suggestions go through everyone for comment,” Salango said.
Commission President Kent Carper, in his first public appearance and commission meeting since undergoing open heart surgery, said this is a project at the top of their to-do list this year, and will need to be funded with some help.
“This could be a very pricy project,” Carper said. “We’ve only got so much space and we can’t stretch the building.”
Carper thinks all counties who were recipients of the additional judges should band together and request funding to come from the state.
“I mean the legislature has over $1 billion in infrastructure money, and that is certainly eligible,” Carper said.
The commission approved a motion to vet the American Rescue Plan (ARP) for possible funding. Wheeler also suggested they reach out to the County Commissions Association for help. That was also approved.
In the end, commissioners approved a motion to get the word out essentially that bids can be submitted from architects or engineers wanting to work on the project.
“It is the judgement of the county commission that this is our top priority project for the upcoming however many months this is done,” said Carper.