COUNTY MARKS DECADE IN OFFICE BUILDING

JACKSON -- The Cape Girardeau County Commission and other county government offices are celebrating a decade in the Administrative Office Building on Barton Square.

An anniversary celebration will be held today from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the County Commission chambers.

Ten years ago Cape Girardeau County government moved into the new building from offices in the County Courthouse across the street.

Planning for the facility began seven years before construction started. The commission set aside money in a capital account in anticipation of the need for new office space.

After looking at several possible sites, the commission purchased the old Coca Cola bottling plant just east of the courthouse. The commission had all the building on the block removed except the main bottling plant. The main building was gutted and used as a shell for the new building.

Construction began in June 1986. County offices moved in August 1987, and an open house was held in October.

Total cost of the building, including purchase of the property, design and site preparation, was $1.7 million. When the open house was held for the building, then-presiding commissioner Gene Huckstep said the new building was completely paid for.

The administrative building includes offices of the assessor and mapping and appraisal office, county recorder of deeds, treasurer, collector, auditor, clerk and county commission, data processing, planning, emergency operations and highway department.

Space vacated at the courthouse was used to expand offices of the circuit courts.