County in pursuit of old Ace building

Shuttered facility could be renovated to make space for expanded courts

By THE TIMES NEWS STAFF

news@theeveningtimes.com

Crittenden County Quorum Court justices mulled over the details in its November meeting on obtaining the vacated Ace Hardware building and renovating to add courtrooms.

Two immediate concerns surfaced in the discussion: One, a pressing need for new courtroom space for Judge Tonya Alexander would alleviate courtroom scheduling logjam. The second issue, advanced by County Attorney Joe Rodgers is that the building stands in West Memphis on the Marion city limit.

“Could we secure the building and make a place for Judge Alexander to hold court, and not do anything else until we come up with a detailed (renovation) plan?” asked Justice Lisa O’Neal.

The county attorney presented his opinion regarding the location of the building. Court must be held in the county seat, which is Marion.

“I did some research and consulted with the Arkansas Association of Counties,” said Rodgers. “We’ve made a decision. In our opinion it is necessary for the property to be annexed into Marion.”

Rodgers moved forward with some preliminaries.

“I consulted with the West Memphis city attorney, and the city engineer,” said Rodgers. “I’ve obtained the legal descriptions of where the city limits are presently and there is a state state statute that would allow the cities of Marion to annex that property and for the city of West Memphis to de-annex the property so it could come into the city of Marion.”

A vote of both city councils was required for the give and take of the Ace building land.

“It would require a vote of the city of the respective councils of those cities,” said Rodgers. “The last conversation I had with West Memphis City Attorney Mike Stephenson about meetings with leaders from both cities. That has not been scheduled yet.”

“Has anyone talked to the city about de-annexing?” asked Justice Vicki Robertson. “I ask that question because I called a couple of city council members to see how they were leaning on this and they had no clue on this being discussed. I think its premature for us to be buying this building.” The quorum court voted to table the building purchase.

Three West Memphis City council members weighed in after the Quorum Court meeting.’ Ward two Councilman and City Clerk elect James Pulliaum expressed concern that the details be handled properly. “One thing for sure is I’d need to see a map and legal descriptions of exactly where this is at and how much land we’d be loosing,” said Pulliaum.

While a vote of the full city council would be required, West Memphis City Council held a tradition of yielding to the aldermen representing the impacted ward. Charles Wheeless thought the land was in his ward three and was unopposed to the de-annexation plan. Wayne Croom also expressed favor for the plan.