Lane County leaders say they’re not ready to give up on a new courthouse despite the disappointing outcome of Tuesday’s election.
The voters rejected a bond measure aimed at raising 154 million dollars for a new courthouse. It was put on the May ballot to raise funds so that the county could be eligible for state and federal money to make a total of 252 million dollars for the project. Lane County Commissioner Joe Berney hopes those funds might still be available if and when the county tries again to pass bond.
“We’re exhausted. [laughs] But we will be at the beginning of reassessing if there is a next step, and I think there will be, and what that next step will be, probably in a couple of weeks.”
The current courthouse, built 60 years ago, lacks security, technology and accessibility. The county wants to build a new 100 year courthouse on a vacant lot that once held Eugene City Hall.
