Published: August 20, 2008 11:56 am      

Courthouse prepares to be vacated, move to temporary location

Ada — District Judge Tom Landrith said Pontotoc County Courthouse will be vacated as soon as possible so renovation can begin.

“But that could be in December,” Landrith said.

November is probably the best estimate according to Landrith. He said the court clerk’s office, two courtrooms and judges offices will be located in the Agri-plex on the north end of the building.

The temporary offices for the county clerk, assessor, treasurer and county commissioner’s offices will be located in the old Eye Q building located on the southwest corner of 13th and Broadway.

The office of the district attorney will stay put and will get a new neighbor as the sheriff’s office will move into the old OG&E building directly across from the courthouse on 13th Street.

Landrith said the election board will be housed in a red brick house on the southwest corner of Townsend and 13th. Drug court will be in a small red building next door to election board.

Many things factor into the timing of the move, including the remodeling of the temporary housing which is going on right now, Landrith said.

Although officials were hoping the new jail would be completed in January, it appears March is looking like the best bet, excluding bad weather.

Initial appearances for inmates will be held in the municipal courtroom in the Ada City Hall until construction of the new jail is finished, Landrith said.