Davis County looking at 3 new buildings

FARMINGTON — Davis County commissioners have announced plans to construct a new county administration building, a move expected to change the face of downtown Farmington.

Construction of the new building will be tied to building a new Davis County Library headquarters and a new Children's Justice Center, where children who are crime victims can be interviewed by police in a safe environment.

The three buildings are estimated to cost $13.2 million, though county officials don't expect to bid out the construction until next fall.

Commissioner Bret Millburn said the stars have aligned to make possible the project, which is expected to be completed without a tax increase.

For years, county officials have been working toward an overhaul of the county's campus, located on the southeast block of State and Main streets. Davis County Library directors have put money aside for construction of the new library, and the county has done the same for its future building.

The Davis County Memorial Courthouse was originally built in 1932 and then expanded in 1957 and 1978.

In 2007, commissioners ordered a seismic study of the building to estimate what it would cost to bring the building up to current structural codes. The answer: at least $13 million.

More recent estimates from the county's capital planning committee place seismic upgrades and renovation estimates at between $12.1 million and $20.8 million.

Because of the cost to retrofit the current building, safety concerns and the building's inefficient usage of utilities, commissioners have opted to build three new buildings for about the same price while seeking a new use for at least the historic section of the current courthouse. Millburn also cited low bonding rates, the county's AAA bond rating and lower construction costs as factors that helped move the project along.

"It's the right thing to do at the right time," said Commissioner John Petroff Jr.

The sweeping plan for the county complex will mean the leveling of four of the five buildings located there.

Currently, it's the home of the Davis County Memorial Courthouse, Davis County Library headquarters, Davis County Health Department and the county's environmental health services division, as well as the Children's Justice Center.

The health department and environmental health operations will move to Clearfield, where a new building is under construction.

"We're not trying to grow," said Commissioner Louenda Downs. "We're trying to be efficient and effective."

The current county courthouse has about 81,000 square feet of space, and the new building is being designed at about 72,000 square feet.

The new library and county administration building will share some common space located across Main Street from the new Farmington City Hall, and the new Children's Justice Center will be located east of them in a more secluded location to give privacy to its clients.

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