ROCK ISLAND, Illinois-The Rock Island County Public Building Commission has spent close to $500,000 to buy and demolish several old buildings across from the Rock Island County Justice and Courthouse.
"The funds come from bonds that were let or bought or sold at the time we did the initial Justice Center. We borrowed enough money to build the Justice Center and to have a "cushion" if you will to purchase the properties," he said.
"The Public Building Commission has for years been acquiring property close to the jail, close to the Justice Center," Peterson said.
Peterson says the land will be turned into a parking lot, since the new courthouse annex will be built on the current parking lot across the street.
"We're re-issuing bonds, but we're not going to increase the taxes. We're going to keep those at the same rate they were. The previous bonds were paid off," he said.
Construction of the new annex is expected to begin next year.