[Southsider2k12]

https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local...f79e08d727.html

LAPORTE — The LaPorte County Council gave final approval to renovating and doubling the size of the Michigan City Courthouse built in 1909.

How to pay for the estimated $21 million project slated to begin in 2019 will be decided later.

Council member Mark Yagelski said he believes the work can be paid over a 10-year period like the $20 million renovation of the LaPorte County Complex and jail expansion completed in 2004.

He prefers retiring the debt from the work in Michigan City before going ahead with a similar renovation and expansion proposed for the 1892 courthouse in LaPorte to avoid the potential of overextending county government financially.

The work at the Michigan City courthouse is considered more urgent because of an electrical system viewed as a fire hazard along with major handicapped accessibility and space constraints.

County offices on nearby 8th Street will be moved into the expanded Michigan City Courthouse due for completion in 2020.