Renovation of the Limestone County Courthouse would cost $5 million and necessitate closing the building for up to two years, according to an architect’s report.

The county paid 2WR/Holmes Wilkins Architects in Montgomery $46,000 to come up with a plan for the proposed renovation.

“I think $5 million and closing the courthouse from 18 months to two years is completely out of the question,” County Commission Chairman David Seibert said Monday. “If we closed it, we would have to have a place to put those offices including our two court rooms and judges. I don’t feel this is an option to us at this time.”

Seibert said the county’s first option for now would be to install a fire-suppression system in the courthouse. He said the cost of the sprinkler system likely would not exceed $50,000.

More courtrooms are needed to handle the caseload, commissioners said. Architects planned the construction and renovation of four courtrooms, including two for the circuit court and two for district court.

In addition to the courtrooms, the offices of Limestone County Circuit Court Clerk Charles Page and District Attorney Kristi Valls on the first floor were to be expanded, and other offices were to be upgraded to meet the state fire code.

“Right now, the second floor of the courthouse is not being utilized,” Seibert said in August. “But once this renovation project is completed, everything up there will be utilized.”

Alabama Chief Justice Drayton Nabers Jr. in a letter to Limestone Circuit Judges Jimmy Woodroof and Bob Baker said Limestone County ranks third in the state in disposing of cases.

The offices of Probate Judge Mike Davis, License Commissioner Greg Tucker and Revenue Commission Brian Patterson moved to the new Clinton Street Annex two years ago along with the driver’s license examiner and Limestone County Board of Registrars.

“We have two judges for one district court and two judges for one circuit court,” Seibert said. “We don’t have any jury rooms and people have to sit outside in the hallway if they are waiting to testify in case.”

In addition, he said during one recent day the county had 1,800 people in traffic court at the courthouse.