Porter County to Buy Back Former Jail Building
(photo courtesy Bob Kasarda/The Times of Northwest Indiana)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA new appraisal has led Porter County government to look into purchasing its former downtown jail building to create more office space. The sale of the 45,000 square foot building was put on hold last year after the owner was not willing to take the $2.5 million offer made by the county.
According to our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana, a new appraisal has been completed, which allowed the county to increase its offer, and the owners have agreed to lower their asking price. The building will house several county departments, including 911, prosecutor’s office and adult probation. Commission President Jeff Good tells the Times that a Mexican restaurant, Casa del Mar, will leave the building’s first floor, but that another restaurant will be sought to take its place. The county’s child support office will also move into the building, which will result in rent money from the federal government.
The purchase of the building will be covered by a $30 million bond issue for a number of projects, including the renovation of the North County Complex in Portage. The cost of the purchase, and other details, will be a topic for county commissioners when they meet on Tuesday, April 3.