Long awaited public access improvements for the Sunflower County Courthouse may be soon underway after supervisors recently approved final paperwork to use federal funds to pay for it.
The Community Development Block Grant will provide about $600,000 to pay for the upgrade which will include ramp improvements and a self-opening door on the south entrance.
This improvement has been discussed for many years in order to make the courthouse accessible to wheelchairs and finally bring it into full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The action will allow County Engineer Ron Casada to begin final design.
Although the south entrance already boasts a handicap ramp, the final hurdle has been an additional step to enter the door, which is manual. Casada said the plan calls for removing the step and installing a self-opening door.
The project also includes renovation of the main courthouse elevator, a second elevator servicing the basement, which is no longer in operation, and a freight elevator opening on the east side, also currently inoperable.
