COUNTY CELEBRATES OPENING OF RENOVATED COUNTY BUILDING

By Staff

(Pictured are Left-to-Right = County Administrator Rick Witte; County Commissioners Tom Kueser, David O’Dell, and Keith Becker; and Max Fuqua of Fuqua Construction Inc. and Fuqua project leaders.)

       McPherson County was celebrating on Friday, June 5 as they opened the renovated County Building with a formal ribbon cutting and community open house to mark the completion of a project that has been years in the making and nearly a year under construction.

       The event at 200 N. Maple Street in McPherson was attended by approximately 125 area residents, county staff, project partners, and community leaders.

       Hosted by McPherson County Commissioners Keith Becker, David O’Dell, and Tom Kueser, all three shared remarks during the program as did General Contractor Max Fuqua of FUQUA Construction.

       “When I took this oath as your county commissioner nearly 12 years ago, it was my dream that we would experience what we are doing today,” noted County Commissioner Keith Becker.

       The renovated facility will provide improved accessibility, updated  security and additional space for county operations.

       In the coming weeks, several county departments will move into the building, including the County Clerk and Elections Office, County Treasurer, Register of Deeds, County Appraiser, Human Resources, Information Technology, administrative offices, and Planning and Zoning.

       According to County Commissioner David O’Dell, “Today we stand in a building that has been renewed with purpose, strengthened with care, and prepared for the next generations to serve the people within McPherson County.”

       County Commissioner Tom Kueser also reflected on the importance of honoring the past while preparing for the future as he commented, “This building stands as a reminder that we can respect our history while embracing progress and preparing for the future. May this facility serve our community well for many, many years to come and continue to be a source of pride for McPherson County.”

       During the ceremony, the Deputy State Director for U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, Mike Zamrzla, precented McPherson County with a U.S. flag flown over the United States Capitol in honor of the occasion.

       Thanks, was also extended to Landmark Architects for the building design, Fuqua Construction Inc. for serving as general contractor and the many county employees, project partners and taxpayers who helped make the entire project possible.

       The relocation of county offices will also provide additional space in the McPherson County Courthouse for District Court offices, helping address long-standing space needs and better positioning the county to serve residents in the years ahead.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)