Historic courthouse will be multi-use facility for county

By Eddie West Staff Writer

The first of what will be a months long restoration project for the historic Smith County Courthouse located on the square in Carthage is  well underway.

Restoration and replacement of energy efficient windows has been taking place in recent weeks.

The new energy efficient windows are being installed from the inside of the building in order to preserve the integrity of the outside trim of historic structure, 

More specific, bid requirements included “removal and replacement of windows with low-e coated glass with super spacer, argon gas in 76 openings… with all windows to be installed from the interior to insure integrity of exterior trim”.

The courthouse renovation project is being spurred by a $1.8 million state grant provided through a Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s (TNECD) Connected Community Facilities Grant.

The county will provide $200,000 in conjunction with the $1.8 million grant for the windows.

Also, the county commission has committed up to one million dollars in funds for the project.

The next step for the project is to upgrade the structure’s heating and cooling system, as well as replacement of an elevator.

Other upgrades will follow.

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