Cowley County is accepting bids for construction improvements and renovations to the courthouse complex.
According to a notice from County Administrator Lucas Goff’s office Friday, bids are due March 28.
The projects will include expansion and renovation for office, meeting, hearing and storage space, along with expanded lab space for the health department — specifically isolated lab space for as-needed pandemic use.
Goff said the health department faced hurdles during the height of the COVID pandemic regarding what it could do in-house concerning its current lab space and cross-contamination risks. Concerning the expansion of space, Goff said the addition of a magistrate judge for the county has brought a need for more space in the courthouse.
Costs for the renovations and improvements are estimated to total roughly $2.5 million, however the county is confident it has funds already allocated for the project primarily via the federal American Rescue Plan Act and existing bond reserves for previous work to the South Annex.
The American Rescue Plan Act — a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package — was passed by Congress in 2021 and signed by President Joe Biden later that year.
Congressman Ron Estes, whose district includes Cowley County, voted against the American Rescue Plan Act, along with both Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall.
