The first tangible proof of

the county's new judicial center occured this week as demolition

began on the old Quality Foods shopping center.

Once the demolition and clearing

is completed, Coweta County expects to stage a groundbreaking for the

judicial center in April.

Choate Construction won the

contract for the $40 million complex, which is being funded through a

Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

Officials estimate the center

will open 18 months from ground breaking.

Some of the specifics of the

new complex include:

- Main courts building

- 129,000 sq. ft.

- Juvenile courts building

- 30,000 sq. ft.

Coweta County officials said

the current projection shows the complex $1.3 million under budget.

However, officials stressed

there are still some $800,000 in known costs for security and landscape

items coming up, so the project remains under budget even after those

costs are considered.

Building takes architectural

features of the historic courthouse and incorporates them into the new

facade making the facility blend in with the overall appearance of Newnan.

The county has been meticulous,

in fact, about the type of bricks to be used on the exterior of the structure.

For the last few months, the courthouse committee has been bringing brick

samples to the Coweta County Commission meetings.

Chairman Vernon "Mutt"

Hunter has been meticulous about the color red involved in the bricks

and the committee is on the verge of making its final choice.

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