FAIRHOPE, Ala. - Editor’s note: This article is the latest of two recent stories on construction plans and public access to records at the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse. Links to the first articles published on the subject in 2008-2009 are included at the end of this story. Additional reporting on this subject will occur during the rest of this year.

The cramped quarters facing those seeking access to public computer court records at the local satellite courthouse might improve, according to Baldwin County Circuit Clerk Jody Campbell and design plans for the project.

“We will make the best use of the space we are allocated,” Campbell said.

Currently, visitors to the single public access terminal are squeezed in a corner next to the court clerk’s window. When the Fairhope Courier first reported on this issue in December 2008 and January 2009, the terminal also used an antiquated DOS-based screen, despite requirements in the contract between the state and private company handling Alabama’s online court record system to provide adequate public access to those records.

The articles also reported on the inconvenient public space and single computer terminal and described ongoing plans to design and expand the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse.

Following the publication of those articles (see links at end of this article), the computer terminal was upgraded to a more modern system and architectural plans were changed to increase the space available for public computer access there.

“The new lobby space at the clerk’s window will double the existing area,” said Nancy Strube, county project coordinator. “This project was designed for future growth with all departments and the public in mind.”

Strube said that she and the project architects met numerous times with county officials, department heads and staff to develop a design plan for the new building that would meet their future needs.

“We did meet several times with that team,” said outgoing County Commissioner David Ed Bishop, who played a role in changing the design plans to increase the public access area in the clerk’s office area. “I see this as an important issue regarding the public’s access to public records and think the current design plans will be a major improvement.”

Jeff Hudson, the project architect for the Daphne-based Hatch Mott McDonald firm, also said there were numerous meetings between the design team and county officials and staff in order to meet their space and other future needs regarding the new building.

He said the new space in the clerk’s office lobby serving the public will increase from 56 to 112 square feet. According to floor plans, there will be increased space available for more convenient use of the public access computer terminal.

Construction on the $4 million expansion of the satellite courthouse began in June and is expected to be completed by that time next year.

“If there’s room for a table or place for someone to sit, we will all also consider that and do whatever else we can to accommodate the public,” Campbell said. “We might put another computer there depending on the space available.”

For additional information on this subject see the following articles:

• “Online court records a lucrative business” www.baldwincountynow.com/articles/2008/12/31/local_news/doc495a9c95274ee387231714.txt

• “Improved access to court records coming soon” http://baldwincountynow.com/articles/2008/12/31/local_news/doc495a9ce147f4a922426669.txt

• “Circuit clerk facilitates court records access” )www.baldwincountynow.com/articles/2009/01/03/local_news/doc495e7a0b22bd6257812517.txt

• “Courthouse expansion using efficient design” www.baldwincountynow.com/articles/2010/11/04/local_news/doc4ccaf21478583641360348.txt