By Mike Sever
Record-Courier staff writer
County officials have shortened to five the list of potential architects for a new Portage County Municipal Courthouse in Kent.
On Thursday, the Portage County Board of Commissioners selected five firms or partnerships to interview regarding their qualifications to build the proposed new courthouse.
The five firms selected to make presentations are: Brandstetter Carroll Inc. of Cleveland: Richard L. Bowen of Cleveland; Four Points Architects of Akron; Hasenstab Architects of Akron; and a partnership of local architects David L. Sommers and Theodore G. Manfrass with KZF Design of Cincinnati.
Commissioners hope to have the presentations made this month and decide on an architect early next year.
A total of 15 companies submitted applications for consideration out of 52 firms that had requested information on the project.
Plans are to replace the current courthouse, a former U.S. Post Office, on South Water Street. Kent officials have asked for the county’s commitment to build in the planned downtown redevelopment area.
The county has not committed to a specific location, but has it down to the block bounded by Haymaker Parkway, DePeyster and South Water streets and the alley that divides the redevelopment block.
Commissioner Chris Smeiles has said that adequate parking for employees and people who use the courthouse is a concern.