After years of standing empty and months of remodeling, the Old Lyon County Courthouse, now known as the Lyon County Annex, is housing its first tenants.
Pieces of the building’s past linger here and there, but for the most part, the annex has been transformed and taken on a new life. The old terrazzo flooring has been waxed and shines like new. New offices are fragrant with new carpet and fresh paint. The final touches to wiring are being placed around the building.
Moved in so far are facilities management in the basement and the Department of Aging, RSVP and L-Cat on the first floor. The groups are settled into their new space and are enjoying the comforts of a newly remodeled building. Doug Stueve, with the Department on Aging, said his department is enjoying its new offices. The Department on Aging, RSVP and L-Cat had been housed in the new Lyon County Courthouse since they had to leave their former home on Commercial Street.
“This is a nice complex,” Stueve said. “We are able to space some things out. I think it has worked out well.”
Stueve said more people are stopping by the offices now that it is more accessible.
“It’s a very functional building,” he said. “We’ve really had a noticeable increase of foot traffic the last two weeks.”
Stueve also enjoys the meeting room that is in their complex. The room can hold a small group — around 10 people.
Ken Barrows of L-Cat chimed in that his department is enjoying the building, too.
“We all really, really like it here,” Barrows said, with a smile. “I think it’s going to work out good. The walk-in traffic has increased immensely. It’s great.”
Barrows said all the comments from the public that he’s heard about the building have been positive.
“Everybody has good input,” he said.
Lyon County Commission Chairman Marshall Miller was eager to show off the remodeled building.
“The rooms are bright and cheery,” Miller said.
There is a large meeting room on the first floor that is set up for 96 people.
“We have to get 120 people in here next week,” Miller said.
The old commission chambers have been transformed into offices. The bathrooms, which were part of phase one renovation, have been completely re-done to be handicapped accessible. The elevator has been refurbished as well. New water fountains have also been installed.
The Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas will use the entire second floor for offices and to see clients. The second floor is nearly complete and MHCECK has started moving in furniture.
The former jury assembly room on the second floor has been turned into a staff lounge. The two small bathrooms that used to be in the jury assembly room would not pass code and were removed, Miller said.
The large District Courtroom has been split into three spaces, one being a large meeting room for MHCECK to use.
“We were able to maintain the old District Court’s paneling,” Miller said.
Miller pointed out the paneling that remains throughout the entire second floor.
The old elevator has been sheet rocked over. The shaft still remains and the elevator can be restored to working condition if needed in the future.
“It’s still here, but it’s disabled,” Miller said, as he pointed to the wall.
Also on MHCECK’s floor is a kitchenette complete with a sink, stove and refrigerator. The space will be used to teach clients life skills such as cooking.
“It’s demo cooking, not commercial cooking,” Miller said.
For now, the third floor of the Annex has not changed.
“I bet within a year we’re going to do something with that area,” Miller said.
Final touches still need to be added. A flag needs to be put out front and a sign bearing the name “Lyon County Annex” needs to be installed to the front of the building.
“We need to add county touches,” Miller said as he stood in front of the building.