Ground breaks for new Barren County Judicial Center

GLASGOW, Ky. – State and local officials broke ground Thursday on the new Barren County Judicial Center: a three-story, 58,000-square-foot facility that will soon house all of the county’s court services.

The $50 million project will feature the latest data, video and networking technology, as well as enhanced security measures including single-point entry, magnetometers and on-site personnel.

Barren County judge-executive Jamie Bewley Byrd said the project represents a major state investment in the local community.

“We’re going to have a building that’s 58,000 square feet,” Byrd said. “That’s a total projected cost of $36 million that the state — the AOC — is paying for. They also maintain the property and pay the county to oversee it, just like they do with the current courthouse.”

While the new facility will modernize local court operations, Byrd emphasized that the existing courthouse won’t be left behind.

“I know the community’s concern is what’s going to happen with the current courthouse,” Byrd said. “We’re working with AOC to make updates and improvements there, and they’re helping financially so it won’t cost local taxpayers. We’re going to make good use of that facility.”

Construction on the new judicial center is expected to be completed in 2028.