Jury is out on courthouse move

There is a saying that what goes around, comes around.
But sometimes comebacks can be expensive, according to local civic activists.

On Tuesday, county commissioners voted 5-0 to allow County Administrator David Hamilton to meet with Metro Bay President Bill Rain and discuss a proposal to convert part of the old Brooksville hospital into room for an 110,000-square-foot judicial center.
Commissioners said to keep the price at the agreed-upon $18.6 million set aside in a reserve fund for that purpose.
In 2006, commissioners sold the old hospital to Rain for $1.1 million.

Linda Hayward, founder of the Hernando County Taxpayers Alliance, said at $18.6 million, county commissioners should not just use part of the hospital facility. They should own it all.
Rain has made a "handsome profit" on his investment in this down economy and county commissioners could use the facility, not only as a judicial center, but as a place to lease space for small- to medium-sized businesses, she said.
This turn of events shows that commissioners "made a huge mistake" selling the hospital in the first place, she said.

Civic activist Janey Baldwin said to even consider entering into a deal with Rain or anyone else right now is premature, especially with the budget in the tank.
"We shouldn't be doing this," she said. "It might be a good project a long time from now."
Besides, Baldwin questioned why commissioners are now considering abandoning their recommendation last October to create more space in the existing government center using in-house staffers to keep the price down.

"We were told they could use this building and now, they can't?" Baldwin asked. "Why change now? The public is not going to be happy."
County Commissioner Dave Russell defends the sale of the hospital because, according to estimates at the time, it would have cost the county more than $20 million. The county was also saddled with a $600,000-a-year maintenance agreement.

And, given the county's track record on completing projects - referencing the long-delayed Hernando Beach dredge project and the cleanup of the contaminated former public works compound in Brooksville - Russell said he didn't have enough confidence that the county could renovate the hospital in a reasonable time and without escalating costs.

Private business will always trump government when it comes to such projects, Russell said.
Russell said if this latest proposal from Rain works out, it would not only benefit the judiciary but free up space in the government center for other departments.
Russell said it is true commissioners last October tabled plans to build a new $18.6 million judicial center, opting to wait until the economy improves.
But Russell said when the commissioners shelved the project, bids came in at the $40-$60 million range and that was unacceptable.

This latest proposal is more attractive because Rain said he could live within the budgeted $18.6 million set aside for the project, Russell said.
"We welcome any kind of proposition that keeps us living within our needs," Russell said.
Commissioners stressed other suitors cannot be left out of the bidding process if commissioners did decide to again look for new judicial digs.
But Rain was allowed to give a formal presentation Tuesday outlining what he believes are the advantages of moving to his facility.

Rain had hoped from the beginning his complex would rejuvenate the downtown area, create jobs and put the property back on the tax rolls.
In 2008, he opened The Grande, which contains independent apartment units geared for retirees. Today, it is home to about 50 people.
A judicial center at the renovated facility would be a good fit, Rain said, and would not inconvenience any of the residents of The Grande.

Chief Circuit Judge Daniel Merritt Sr. said he is open to explore any concept because the need for courtroom space is vital.
"I know you're getting tired of me coming back and saying we need it now, but we need it now," Merritt told commissioners.
The $18.6 million has been set aside in reserves and should be used for that purpose, he said.

Key dates:

September 2005 - Brooksville Regional Hospital personnel relocate to new facility west of the city.

April 4, 2006 - County commissioners discuss what to do with the empty hospital and seek proposals.

June 3, 2006 - Hernando HealthCare officially turns over operation and maintenance of the old building to the county.

February 6, 2007 - Commissioners ask staff to draw up a contract for $1.1 million and sell the hospital to Rain's Tampa company, which plans to convert the building into an assisted-living facility with offices, restaurant and medical arts program.

September 2008 - County commissioners agree to do an in-house study to determine costs for a new judicial center.

October 2008 - County Administrator David Hamilton, then-Assistant County Engineer Gregg Sutton, Circuit Judge Daniel Merritt and Facilities Senior Project Manager Al Toler take a road trip to look at three judicial centers in three different counties.

October 2009 - Commissioners table plans to build a new $18.6 million judicial center, opting to wait until the economy improves. They direct staff to explore renovating part of the government center to accommodate an additional courtroom to help out in the short-term.

Feb. 9, 2010 - Commissioners hear presentation from the owner of the renovated former Brooksville Regional Hospital about possibly using space at his facility for a new judicial center.