Judge Jim Malone proposes council chamber/courtroom renovation funded from court special projects fund

Judge Jim Malone addressed Struthers City Council on June 25 with plans to renovate the council chamber, which he said doubles as a courtroom for jury trials and has not been updated.

"It hasn't been updated and maybe feels like a hundred years," Malone told council, describing the lack of a jury box, appropriate witness stand, counsel tables and sight lines necessary for trials. Malone said he had plans drawn and had shared them with the mayor's office and council caucus and sought council input before submitting the project for bid.

Malone said all renovations would be paid from the court's special projects fund and "there wouldn't be any cost to the city," and asked council members to suggest any changes before the architect put the plans out for bid. Council and the judge discussed audiovisual upgrades and running wiring during a ceiling replacement to accommodate improved cameras for livestreaming. Malone said the architects had been told to consider camera and wiring needs and that the project team could coordinate on audio/video specifications before bids were solicited.

The plans described a jury box, a witness area, fixed council tables and swivel chairs; Malone said the layout would provide improved sight lines for jurors, attorneys and witnesses and that the jury box chairs could include fold-up tablet surfaces. Malone said he hoped to advertise for bids and begin work over the summer, though he acknowledged the timeline might be optimistic. He also said he had discussed temporary use of Campbell Court's facilities when that court is not in session, and council suggested the conference room as an alternate meeting location during construction.

No formal contract or appropriation by council was requested at the meeting; Malone sought input and permission to submit the architect’s plans for bidding and to keep the mayor’s office and council informed as the procurement process proceeds.