ZMM explored three options for developing the courthouse annex. The first option, the original concept proposed by Tucker County, anticipated connecting the annex at multiple levels via a connector.
The problem with this approach was that the jailor’s residence appeared like a building stuck within a larger complex, as well as the cost of the connector structure. ZMM also explored the option of relocating the jailor’s residence, an approach that proved not feasible as the location of the facility justifies it’s historical quality. The final solution that was examined, and implemented, involved adding a separate elevator to the existing Tucker County Courthouse and connecting the entry to the two facilities with an enclosed single-level connector. This approach is the most efficient use of the county’s resources, and also the best approach for the overall courthouse site.
The annex houses spaces for the Circuit Court, Circuit Clerk, Family Court, Magistrate Court, Prosecuting Attorney, County Commission, County Clerk, Community Corrections, and Probation Office. The Tucker County Sheriff occupies the space that is being vacated in the original courthouse. The office and courtroom spaces occupy the upper three floors, with enclosed parking on the ground floor. The enclosed parking on the ground level ensures that all occupied spaces are located outside of the floodplain.
The architecture of the annex is meant to complement the existing Romanesque and Flemish styles of the courthouse and jailor’s residence. The red brick, stone base, brick banding, arched openings, and sloped rooflines help to create a unified feel, while the wall of glass adjacent to the public corridor that overlooks the courthouse brings a touch of modernity to the campus and provides natural light to the interior of the building.