The Seneca County Courthouse has been on Preservation Ohio's list of the state's most endangered places for the last two years. (Preservation Ohio)

Ohio officials have decided against renovating a long-vacant courthouse.

Last week, protesters gathered outside the Seneca County Courthouse in Tiffin, Ohio, while a judge listened to testimony in a lawsuit challenging the county's decision to demolish the 1884 Beaux Arts structure.

On Aug. 6, county commissioners voted 2-1 to move forward with plans for demolishing the courthouse, designed by Elijah Myers, who also designed several state capitols, and replacing it with a new building. The county currently uses only one floor of the four-story building for record storage.

Proponents of saving the building have questioned the county's decision, and now six county residents are suing to have a preliminary injunction placed on the building to protect it from demolition until the decision can be reviewed.

Exploring its options, the county hired Mansfield-based MKC Associates to study the building in January. The engineering and architectural firm's report found interior and exterior renovation to be the least expensive of four alternatives. Its report also deems the building structurally sound but in need of repair.

"It isn't because the county doesn't have the money to fix it," says Jackie Fletcher, who has worked with the Tiffin Historic Trust to collect signatures on a petition to save the courthouse. "It's a wonderful building. It's as solid as can be."

John Barga, attorney for the plaintiffs, says the judge has already dismissed two complaints in the lawsuit and will have to make a decision about a third—which accuses commissioners of violating state law by deliberating about the courthouse behind closed doors—before the injunction can be granted and the case moves to court. He expects the judge to make that decision by the end of the month.

Though unable to comment on matters relating to the lawsuit, commissioner Mike Bridinger says that he is in favor of keeping the courthouse but thinks that the other commissioners are worried about hidden costs of renovation and long-term maintenance. "They feel that it's fiscally responsible not to put the money into renovation," Bridinger says. "I think that we owe it to our ancestors to revitalize that building."

Want Today's News headlines delivered to your e-mail box? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter >>