Cost increase for courts exposes location’s flaws

The sad irony in the continuing saga for Benton County to have much-needed new courtrooms could be likened to a Shakespearean play … but would it be a comedy or a tragedy? Regardless of how irrational it is, this project is being driven by one underlying goal—the courts must be located in downtown Bentonville. The latest revelation, the costs have now increased from $25 million to $30 million, with an estimated completion time of around four years.

This disaster was engineered through the use of power and money, and implemented by a clueless electorate. Now the governing body of this county, which functions like a mindless bunch of sheep following their leader over a cliff, has allowed the most illogical, inconvenient, costly location to be chosen for the courts.

The really sad consideration is that the citizens of Benton County—as well as judges and clerks involved with court proceedings—could already have a spacious, easily accessible counts building on 14th Street (Highway 102) on cityowned property next to the jail—another very important consideration—with convenient parking just outside the door.

A huge amount of county money has already been spent for professional studies and recommendations, but the above choice was shoved aside, because the courtrooms were “destined” to be downtown. Surely, tourists who visit Mr. Sam’s museum in downtown Bentonville—which houses his old pickup and is deserving of pride— won’t know or care where the courtrooms are located.

Hight Jackson’s plan could surely still be constructed for $25 million at the 14th Street location—which originally had the lowest estimate— and also avoid creating a disaster zone for years to come in downtown Bentonville. However, this would require the citizens of Benton County to voice their outrage, and the Quorum Court to do its job and pressure the logical decision from the person who holds that authority.

BARBARA FOREMAN

Siloam Springs