Coroner’s office set to move

Miller County to make use of former home of Troop G

TEXARKANA — The Miller County coroner’s office soon will have a place of its own, thanks to the state.

The office, which handles death investigations, is set to move to 305 E. Sixth St. The building was the former office of Troop G of the Arkansas State Police, which moved into larger headquarters next door in 2022.

County Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison said the building was a gift from the state. She thanks ASP Capt. Brady Gore for helping make the transfer possible.

A time frame for the coroner’s office move has not been set.

“The building will need some minor remodeling and updates,” Harrison said.

The coroner’s office has been sharing space with the Office of Emergency Management and other county departments at 409 Hazel St. County records show the building is owned by Catco Rental Properties.

The county rents the building for $2,500 a month.

Given that Hazel Street was a temporary location — and wanting a secure place for the mortuary cooler, which was kept at another county property — the county explored relocation options for the coroner’s office.

“I worked with State Police and the judge has worked with State Police trying to get that building for us,” coroner Kelly Rowland said.

Harrison said the East Sixth Street building better meets the needs of the coroner’s office than the Hazel Street site.

“The location is ideal because of the proximity to the Miller County Courthouse and the state police building,” she said.

Remodeling the building, including removing walls and making space for a walk-in mortuary cooler “is the most cost-effective approach for the county,” Harrison said.

Until renovations are complete, the coroner will work out of the former Lantz Lurry Juvenile Detention Center, 2200 Bankes Road. The center closed at the end of 2022.

On Jan. 10, the coroner’s office began relocating to the former JDC by moving the mortuary cooler and other equipment to the site.

But that move also could be temporary. The reason? A potential airport expansion.

Harrison said the Texarkana Regional Airport Authority Board contacted the county in 2023 about the possibility of purchasing the former JDC for additional flight clearance for a runway extension.

The longer runway, which would be part of the airport’s master plan, would be for the landing of 747s and other widebody aircraft, airport Executive Director Paul Mehrlich has said.

“If the airport receives the federal funding [for the runway extension], the county would not be able to use the JDC as offices,” Harrison said.