Renovations complete in the Douglas County Commission meeting room

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The renovated Douglas County Commission meeting room in the historic courthouse was completed just in time for new elected officials to be sworn in Monday.

The layout of the room was shifted roughly one counterclockwise turn, so the five commissioners will sit at the dais facing the double-door entrance to the room.

All the room’s woodwork has been restored, and the flooring was stripped and refinished to look more like the room’s original flooring. A St. Louis company created a new chandelier and wall sconces to match the original, gas-operated lights from 1904.

In addition, “Microscopic investigation was performed on all surfaces in the room to determine original colors, and the room was painted accordingly,” according to the county. A rosy hue now covers the walls.

Four Douglas County commissioners, the district attorney and several other county officials were sworn in Monday in the renovated room. Read more and see photos at this link.

The commission in December 2023 approved an estimated budget of $1.36 million for the project. An estimated $172,000 in state tax credits will be awarded to the county for the historic preservation part of the project, and the county is using $135,000 in insurance settlement money to repair and replace items damaged by flooding in October 2022. Treanor Architects and B.A. Green Construction performed the design and construction.

Still to come: The benches will soon have padding. In addition, photos of scenic Douglas County by local photographers will line the back wall of the room.

The five-member commission’s first meeting in the room will be a work session on the Kansas Open Records and Open Meetings acts set for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, followed by a regular business meeting at 5:30 p.m. The courthouse is at 1100 Massachusetts St.

Find more information about the meeting at this link and the complete agendas at this link.

Molly Adams / Lawrence Times The expanded dais will seat five Douglas County commissioners.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times This room behind the dais will become a small meeting room.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times Photos will be arranged along the back wall of the remodeled room.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times The jury box still overlooks the courtroom.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times This ramp that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act is a new addition to the courthouse.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times The remodel includes this 165-inch screen.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
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Molly Adams (she/her), photojournalist and news operations coordinator for The Lawrence Times, can be reached at molly@lawrencekstimes.com. Check out more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.

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