By Mike Smith

El Rito Media

msmith@currentargus.com

After months of public discussion and studies, Eddy County’s Board of County Commissioners decided to renovate the iconic Eddy Courthouse in downtown Carlsbad.

Commissioners voted 4-1 at their Tuesday, Nov. 5, meeting to approve a $15 million renovation of the 85-year-old courthouse at 102 N. Canal St.

Eddy County originally proposed building a new courthouse and judicial center south of Carlsbad near the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office.

Under that plan, courthouse operations would have moved into a $347 million complex along with a new administration building and detention center.

Community outcry during townhall meetings in Carlsbad and Artesia earlier this year prompted commissioners to pause plans for a possible move as the county assessed the financial impact of renovating the current courthouse, said Eddy County spokesperson Savannah Cabezuela.

Jason Burns, the county’s public works director, presented study findings and options for a new complex or expanding the current structure during an Oct. 15 commission meeting.

A third option to remodel the building and add new infrastructure was suggested by commissioners and presented during an Oct. 23 public forum in Carlsbad.

“Public comments at the forum largely championed support for option 3,” wrote commission chairman Bo Bowen in a memorandum to other commissioners.

After Tuesday’s meeting, Burns said commissioners’ input for additional information when exploring the assorted options was key during the study process.

“Ultimately coming to the decision to keep it as it is – that was very much the intent of the public from the information we received,” he said. “Ultimately, at the end of the day, the commissioners represent the county and the constituents and they came to the decision that the constituents wanted them to.”

Burns said the outer portion of the courthouse would be renovated and upgrades would be made to security, plumbing, heating and air conditioning as part of the approved option.

He said work on the exterior could start in early 2025.

Ward 3 Carlsbad City Councilor Karla Niemeier expressed support for the commission’s decision.

Niemeier is a former director of Carlsbad MainStreet and believes the courthouse is an attraction for the downtown area.

“I feel that courthouse is a part of our history,” Niemeier said. “It keeps people coming to our downtown. There’s just a lot of things offered downtown.”

City Councilor Mary Garwood is executive secretary of the Carlsbad MainStreet board of directors and said commissioners did the right thing by listening to the wishes of Eddy County residents.

Garwood said the courthouse is a historic monument in the city and the downtown area.

“We need to remember that repairs are costly, but if preserving it is what the community desires, then it’s an understanding that we all agree on,” she said.

Bowen said that after the remodeling is completed, county officials will reassess the need for additional space during a three-to-five-year period.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.