Help for the courthouse

A state appropriations bill asking for a half-million dollars to help renovate and preserve the historic Jackson County Courthouse in Independence was approved by both the Missouri House and Senate last week.

HB2023, which also will fund various other capital improvement projects throughout the state, was sponsored by Rep. Allen Icet, of Wildwood, Mo. State legislators from Independence, Blue Springs and Sugar Creek, as well as Independence lobbyist Connie Cierpoit, worked toward passage of the bill. The bill requires Gov. Matt Blunt’s signature before it can become law.

Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders told county legislators at Monday’s legislative meeting that he believes Blunt will sign the bill.

Sanders also gave kudos to local legislators who supported the $500,000 funding measure, which will help with the $2 million costs for Phase 2 of the historic courthouse renovation project. Phase 2 will repair the courthouse’s deteriorating foundation, remove the retainer wall surrounding the courthouse, and expand parking.

“We owe gratitude to some of our local legislators who really went to work on this,” he said.

Paul LeVota (D-Independence) said Monday night that he worked hard with the budget chair to see that the bill was passed.

“I not only supported the amendment, as House Minority Leader, I appointed Rep. Curt Dougherty (D-Independence) to the conference committee to make certain the Independence Courthouse got its money,” he said.

Stephanie Roush, director of Tourism for the City of Independence, said she was delighted with the state’s committment to the historic courthouse.

“We’re still pulling together funding for Phase 2, so this will go a long way in doing that,” she said.

The amount raised to date was not available at press time.

Phase 2 construction was slated to begin this spring; however, Roush said that lack of funding has delayed construction until after Santa-Cali-Gon Days, celebrated over Labor Day weekend. She said construction could not begin until funding for the $2 million project is completed.

Roush thanked local legislators for their collective efforts.

“We owe a great deal of gratitude to all of our local legislators who serve at the state level,” she said. “It’s been a group effort, both in the House and the Senate, and between Democrats and Republicans.”

Roush said the historic courthouse, owned by the county, is a state and national treasure.

“It’s very appropriate that the State budget help with this project,” she said. “The courthouse houses the Truman Courtroom and his office, where he served as municipal judge. It’s where he began his political career. To preserve that history is so important.”