Southern District Commissioner Dick Hassler explains the current plans for renovating the Saline County Courthouse. Hassler, Northern District Commissioner Norvelle "Brownie" Brown and Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner were honored Friday, Jan. 11, by citizens of Blackburn for their leadership in the county. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

The citizens of Blackburn held a ham dinner Friday, Jan. 11, to honor the Saline County commissioners for their hard work and dedication.

The event gave people a chance to ask commissioners about county business, and the two projects that dominated the conversation were the development of Marshall Junction and the courthouse renovation project.

Southern District Commissioner Dick Hassler provided an update on the courthouse renovation project, noting that the preservation committee had brought in engineers who have inspected the building and provided guidance.

He said there is good and bad news about the state of the building.

"It's in tough shape in spots, but it's in good shape in spots," he said.

Among the bad news items: An aging guttering system leaks into the building and moisture from it continues to do damage, the stately pillars at the north and south main entrances are crumbling and the roof leaks.

"We need a roof immediately," he said.

The good news is that the historic building is structurally sound in most other respects.

The renovation is expected to cost at least $2.6 million, he said, and current plans are to place a sales tax issue with a six or seven year time limit on the ballot.

Hassler acknowledged that the current courthouse preservation committee is made up primarily of Marshall residents, but he said they were people who had expressed interest in the project. Involvement will be broadened as the project continues, he said.

"We need everybody to get this passed," he said.

The effort to spur business development at the junction of Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 65, however, may need action by just a few, according to Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner.

In answer to a question from Harry Knipmeyer about Marshall Junction development, Plattner said the commission and Marshall-Saline Development Corp. had done a great deal of work trying to create the conditions that would enable development there.

At one point there were tentative plans for a truck stop, restaurant and motel project, but they have not moved forward, she said.

Two main impediments to business development remain: The south side of I-70 does not have adequate water service and the clover-leaf design of the interchange is not conducive to getting traffic on and off the interstate effectively, she said.

Efforts to help businesses bring water service to the south side have not gone forward. And discussions with MoDOT about reconfiguring the exchange are complicated by the fact that the state is considering a comprehensive redevelopment of I-70, which, if given the green light, would change the whole landscape of the junction, literally and economically.

Plattner has been frustrated by the lack of progress.

"That is the main crossroads between four states. It is our new tax base for this county," she said. "When that (development) happens, everyone's a winner."

After the discussion Blackburn resident Jim Meinershagen presented the commissioners with plaques marking the community's appreciation for the work they are doing for the county.

"I believe those who do good things should be rewarded," he said. "Our county came a long way in the past five to six years and I really appreciate what they do."

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net