Commissioners vote to keep courthouse in Kent

Jackie McLean

The Board of County Commissioners decided Tuesday in a 2-1 vote that the location of the Kent courthouse will remain in the city limits.

According to Portage County Commissioner Tommie Jo Marsilio, Commissioner Christopher Smeiles made the motion to keep the courthouse in Kent regardless of the costs and Commissioner Maureen Frederick seconded that motion.

Although Marsilio voted against it, she said she will serve as the liaison with the city of Kent and will be meeting with city officials Friday to discuss a new selection of potential sites for the building.

Courthouse officials said the current building is not up to codes because of size and structural problems that have come with age.

“We’re going to try to see if we can come up with something that is win-win and that the city could partner with us either by doing a land swap or coming up with something that is more economically feasible,” Marsilio said.

— Jackie McLean