As 2016 comes to an end, the reopening of the Old County Building in downtown Mount Clemens is becoming a reality.
County officials announced Monday that the Macomb County Friend of the Court will be moving its offices from the sixth floor of the Circuit Court Building at 40 N. Main to floors one through seven of the adjacent Old County Building at 10 N. Main.
The move is scheduled to take place during the week of Dec.19.
FOC offices are expected to be full relocated at the Old County Building by Dec. 27, according to a court press release issued by Macomb County Circuit Court Chief Judge James M. Biernat Jr.
The building was closed after an electrical fire in March 2013 that substantially damaged the county’s computer mainframes, Internet connections and phone system.
Almost 200 employees with offices there were forced to relocate in other buildings in Mount Clemens.
Nearly two years after the fire, officials negotiated a $16 million insurance settlement to upgrade the building.
Although the Friend of the Court is expected to remain open during the course of the move, services will be spread between both buildings until the move can be completed.
Officials recommend that all non-essential business be addressed before or after the week of Dec. 19.
Upon completion of the move, all Friend of the Court payments will be made on the first floor of the Old County Building, enforcement services will be located on the second and third floor, and referee and investigative functions will operate out of floors four through seven.
Phone numbers will remain unchanged.
The move presents many opportunities for improvement, according to officials, including less crowded floors and a setting more conducive to problem-solving.
The Juvenile Division referees and their clerical staff, as well as the Juvenile Division file room, will also be relocating the week of Dec.19.
The remaining Juvenile Division staff, currently housed at the North Rose location, will be relocating the week of Jan. 2.
The main reception area, file room and administration of the Juvenile Division will be located on the eighth floor of the Old County Building. Probation, diversion and counseling will be located on floors nine through 12, referee hearing rooms will be located on floors eight through 12 and the adoption department will be located on the 12th floor.
All phone numbers will remain unchanged.
The Old County Building will also be equipped with a new digital signage system, according to officials.
Electronic displays will be installed in the lobby, the basement, and outside of each hearing room in the building. The displays will electronically present the case information for the current date with hearing locations and times.
These displays will assist in directing court visitors to their proper locations.
Additionally, the court’s Judicial Aide and Reimbursement Departments will be moving from the fifth floor of Circuit Court Building to the first floor of the Old County Building the week Dec. 19.
Following the move to the first floor of the renovated building, judicial aide will also continue to operate a satellite office at 32 Market Street in the Clemens Center.
These phone numbers will remain unchanged despite the move, officials said.
Meanwhile, the law library will be moving in three weeks from the fifth floor of the Circuit Court Building to the 13th floor of the Old County Building.
In addition to the books, there will be new computer workstations available for public use on the 13th floor.
The court’s Self-Help Center will also be moving from its current location on the fifth floor of the courthouse to the 13th floor of the Old County Building.
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