Having spend in the neighborhood of $2 million for rent at its present location, City Court of Jackson, 101 E. Lafayette St., may be headed for a new location.
The resolution was approved by members of the Jackson City Council, Tuesday.
With estimates at $2.9 million, the new facility would be constructed adjacent to the Jackson Police Department Complex, 234 Institute St., on land owned by the city.
The next step is working with an architect to design a building to meet the needs of the court.
Estimates for the new facility will not cost the taxpayers any additional money.
Rent used for the building at its current location will be diverted for the new facility, which will be owned by the city.
Jackson City Court Judge Blake Anderson told the Council the number of people who appear at City Court continues to grow.
“We have 100-to-200 per day that come to City Court,” Anderson said. “There’s not enough room, and people do not realize the size and enormity of City Court.
“As the city keeps growing and annexing, there’s more cases I hear.”
Anderson said cases range from shoplifting to murder to rape.
“(Inmates) are transported and dropped off in an alley,” Anderson said. “I can’t imagine where we will be in two years.”
(PHOTO: Jackson City Court, 101 E. Lafayette St.)
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