MAHONING COUNTY Appeals court judges to move

The renovation and relocation could take about a year.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Judges of the 7th District Court of Appeals have agreed to move from the Mahoning County Courthouse to the adjacent county administration building.
"I'm not necessarily certain that space is appropriate for a court setting, but we'll have to make it work," said Judge Cheryl Waite.
The move will end what has been a years-long search for new quarters for the court, which serves an eight-county district.
Judges have long complained that there is not enough room for personnel or records storage.
Gary Kubic, county administrator, said the court will occupy the entire fourth floor of the administration building. Part of the fifth floor will also be utilized for storage, he said.
County workers will do the renovations and build the courtroom, Kubic said. The cost, which hasn't been estimated, will be assessed to the court through rent payments. Facilities Manager Richard Malagisi said the renovation will take about a year.
Judge Joseph Vukovich said he's anxious to get into a more spacious setting, regardless of what building it's in.
Moving to the administration building will be a low-cost alternative that should not place a financial burden on the counties that help fund the court, he said.
"It's not worth it to sock it to those economically depressed counties just so we can have a more regal place," Judge Vukovich said. He wants to ensure that the new courtroom is dignified, but doesn't want it to be a financial burden.
Moving to the administration building also will be convenient for lawyers because the building is directly behind the county courthouse.
Judge Vukovich said the court has eight law clerks who work in study carrels set up in the courtroom because there is nowhere else to put them. It's difficult for them to work when people are in the courtroom, he said.
Judge Mary DeGenaro said it will be difficult to leave the courthouse because the appellate court has been there for generations.
"But that's just nostalgic. We've got to be practical," she said. "Hopefully we can run more efficiently over there."
bjackson@vindy.com