2009: County to show off new Courthouse addition

Nov. 18, 2009

HARTINGTON — County residents will get to see the finished product when the Cedar County Courthouse hosts a grand-opening ceremony Friday.

The final touches are now being put in place for the nearly $2.9 million renovation project at the Cedar County Courthouse.

Gov. Dave Heineman will be on hand for a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for the Cedar County Courthouse on Friday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. The event will also help kick off Hartington’s Candlelight Christmas celebration.

The guaranteed maximum price or GMP for the Courthouse Complex, which included a new annex and renovating the two existing buildings, was originally set at $2,609,000, according to Cedar County Clerk Dave Dowling.

“Some changes were made — that amount has gone over by approximately $100,000,” Dowling said.

The Courthouse, which was built for just under $20,000 in 1891, has been expanded to make it more secure and to bring it into compliance with federal handicap accessibility standards.

The first floor of the original Courthouse will be used for the County Court offices, the County Attorney and the Probation Officer, along with a County Courtroom.

The District Court offices and a District Courtroom will occupy the entire second floor.