Judge Douglas seeks $8 million new courthouse

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. wanted authorization from the city’s board of control to spend $495,000 in fees collected by the court to pay a firm to design a new courthouse, among other services.

Not only didn’t the judge get it, but approval doesn’t seem likely at any time in the foreseeable future because of the facility’s estimated $8.2 million cost.

Judge Douglas wonders what it’s going to take to convince the city administration that a new court facility is desperately needed.

“The house keeps falling down and God forbid that due to serious lack of security and safety that someone gets seriously hurt,” he said. “There’s no way to secure this place. We’ve done as much as possible and it’s still not secure.”

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator or vindy.com