Emptying of Child Institute set

1/19/2001

The Child Study Institute, which houses all juvenile court operations, will begin to close early next month as personnel move to the new Juvenile Justice Center on Spielbusch Avenue.

Sandy Isenberg, president of the Lucas County commissioners, said that a number of county agencies have a need for more space and that plans should be considered for the use of the nearly 50-year-old Child Study Institute building.

“I don't want to be heating an old unused building if we can help it,” she said during the commissioners' meeting yesterday.

Edward Ciecka, county administrator, said a decision probably would be delayed until a consultant's report is completed concerning the use and possible space needs in the Lucas County courthouse.

He said the consultant could suggest that some of the offices in the courthouse be moved, and the CSI building on Michigan Street would be the best site.

Edward Aossey, facilities manager for the county, said once all juvenile court offices have moved to the new $24 million structure, he intends to gut the old building, then secure it.

None of the interior walls is load-bearing, so he said the intent is to demolish them and leave the floors open and ready to be reconfigured depending on the building's eventual use.

The building has about 60,000 square feet. On the Michigan Street side, it has a basement and two floors. On the 10th Street side it has four floors. The top two are used for the detention facility and a gymnasium.