Renovation Costs Turn Courthouse Into Money Pit
By STACY MORROW
Updated 8:52 PM CDT, Mon, Nov 30, 2009
The city of McKinney is considering tearing down the old Collin County courthouse after spending millions to purchase the building.
The city originally bought the building from the county in 2006 for $8 million with intentions to renovate it for a new city hall, but cost concerns seem to have thwarted that plan.
The renovation would cost almost $37 million, and the city said it could build a new municipal complex for less than half of that amount.
"It far and away exceeds what we've been told it would cost to build a new facility," said McKinney Mayor Brad Loughmmiller.
Loughmiller said the city would like to find a buyer, or alternative use for the 30-year-old courthouse, before deciding to scrap the building.
"We haven't ruled out completely the use of the courthouse," he said. "Based on the numbers, I think the answer is it's going to be torn down."
He said the city continues to look at all its options and a final decision isn't expected until January.
First Published: Nov 30, 2009 8:09 PM CDT
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