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The decision of who will design Jessamine County’s new judicial center is down to three finalists.

During the Jessamine County Project Development Board’s Dec. 9 meeting, the members voted to select Branstetter Carroll, Sherman Carter Barnhart and CMW as the three architectural firms to be interviewed for the project.

Choosing a financial advisor for the project, though, will take more work. A number of proposals were submitted, but the board members voted unanimously to re-advertise for additional proposals

Jessamine County Judge-Executive and PDB chair said the Administrative Office of the Courts usually contacts a number of companies for the financial advisor. One of the regular contacts, though, was omitted this time. The extension will allow that firm to submit a proposal, and the submitted proposals will be considered as well, he said..

Jessamine Circuit Judge Hunter Daughterty, a board member, made a motion that financial advisors would be chosen solely on the assessment scores from the Administrative Office of the Courts, rather than through interviews. The motion was approved unanimously.

The AOC has allocated $28.4 million for the project in Jessamine County, though it will not be available until the 2022-24 biennium.

Jessamine County Judge-Executive and PDB chair David West said the county already owns property in downtown Nicholasville near the courthouse, but no decisions have been made concerning a location or how the center will be designed.

The project would put circuit and district courtrooms, judges’ chambers, offices and the clerk’s office under one roof. West said previously it could be a standalone building or an addition to the current courthouse.