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Independence, MO —
The Truman Courthouse on the Independence Square could be open again by late spring.
Jackson County legislators on Monday approved a $66,550 addition to a $425,679 contract with Piper-Wind Architects of Kansas City for design work at the 1833 building that’s recently been restored, on the outside, to its 1933 look.
The building is empty, but plans are to move some county offices there, as well as the offices of the Jackson County Historical Society. Harry Truman’s courtroom and offices on the east end of the first floor – not far from his statue outside – will stay.
The city of Independence plans a visitors center. Legislators also approved a 25-year lease with the city for that. The city will pay $5,400 a year for 1,915 square feet, and that amount rises no faster than inflation.
The city’s tourism director, Cori Day, spoke with legislators briefly.
“Actually, we’re ahead of schedule right now,” she said afterward.
Legislators also approved a “project labor agreement” designed to set the rules for companies – union and non-union – bidding on work at the courthouse and, later, renovations at the Courthouse Annex on Kansas Ave. Those rules are designed to address safety issues, assure no work stoppages, and give a preference to workers from the metro area, among other things.
Legislator James Tindall, D-Kansas City, pointed out that the agreement doesn’t address efforts to get more work for minorities, although all county contracts – regardless of this agreement – have language addressing that issue.
“You’re correct. We need to do a better,” Alise Martiny, business manager of the Greater Kansas City Building Trades Council, told Tindall.
The vote to approve the agreement was 8-1. Tindall voted no.
The Truman Courthouse on the Independence Square could be open again by late spring.
Jackson County legislators on Monday approved a $66,550 addition to a $425,679 contract with Piper-Wind Architects of Kansas City for design work at the 1833 building that’s recently been restored, on the outside, to its 1933 look.
The building is empty, but plans are to move some county offices there, as well as the offices of the Jackson County Historical Society. Harry Truman’s courtroom and offices on the east end of the first floor – not far from his statue outside – will stay.
The city of Independence plans a visitors center. Legislators also approved a 25-year lease with the city for that. The city will pay $5,400 a year for 1,915 square feet, and that amount rises no faster than inflation.
The city’s tourism director, Cori Day, spoke with legislators briefly.
“Actually, we’re ahead of schedule right now,” she said afterward.
Legislators also approved a “project labor agreement” designed to set the rules for companies – union and non-union – bidding on work at the courthouse and, later, renovations at the Courthouse Annex on Kansas Ave. Those rules are designed to address safety issues, assure no work stoppages, and give a preference to workers from the metro area, among other things.
Legislator James Tindall, D-Kansas City, pointed out that the agreement doesn’t address efforts to get more work for minorities, although all county contracts – regardless of this agreement – have language addressing that issue.
“You’re correct. We need to do a better,” Alise Martiny, business manager of the Greater Kansas City Building Trades Council, told Tindall.
The vote to approve the agreement was 8-1. Tindall voted no.
