County courthouse undergoes renovation

For longtime Bloomington residents Tom Roznowski and Trisha Bracken, the Monroe County Courthouse has never been just a courthouse.

Roznowski and Bracken have performed plenty of the necessary, typical government-related tasks at the historic building, which has been a Bloomington staple for just more than 100 years.

The couple voted at the courthouse for years and paid their property taxes there.
But they also remember the courthouse as the place where Bracken’s brother got married roughly 20 years ago.

They remember when Roznowski, an accomplished musician, played his original songs at an event to celebrate the courthouse.

They remember listening to distinguished IU English professor emeritus and published author Scott Russell Sanders read aloud his work.

They remember when the courthouse was almost demolished in 1984 and how relieved they were that it wasn’t.

“It’s a beautiful piece of work,” Roznowski said. “(We’re) so glad they saved it.”

Rather than be torn down, the courthouse was restored in 1984 and received yet another renovation this year to correct structural problems in the building.

Additional steel beams have been added beneath the floors for support.

There is a new chiller and a hot water boiler, along with other improvements.

The courthouse was closed for a year during the renovation.

It reopened Oct. 9, later than expected.

The courthouse was originally scheduled to reopen in August.

The Recorder, Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer, Legal, Commissioners, Council and Human Resources county offices returned to the space.

The Planning, Building and Technical Services county offices remained at the North Showers Building on North Morton Street, joined by the office for Bloomington Parks and Recreation.

While it serves several important government functions, the courthouse is more than just a place for people to get married, divorced and calculate child support.

It is a Bloomington monument, designed in the Beau Arts style and enduring for decades.

The renovations of many years have changed the building and improved it, and Roznowski and Bracken said they look forward to seeing the recent developments.

“It’s a great building,” Roznowski said. “It’s great to have a downtown with this much integrity.”

Bracken agreed.

“It’s a special town, so it’s a special courthouse,” she said.