Old Courthouse Ad-Hoc Committee 8/27/26

The Sumner County Old Courthouse Ad-Hoc Committee met on August 27, 2026, to discuss procurement and project planning related to the courthouse's Christmas lighting and the ongoing Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for architectural and engineering services. The committee reviewed bids and quotes for LED Christmas lights to be installed on all four sides of the courthouse, with an estimated cost of around $16,000. Funding discussions included a $100,000 city council allocation and potential contributions from donations. The committee emphasized the need for quality lighting and coordination with downtown lighting for consistency. Additionally, the RFQ for adaptive reuse concepts, community engagement, and market study was issued on August 20, with a submission deadline in early September and a scoring panel meeting planned for September 24. The committee expressed concern about the potential for a limited number of submissions and discussed outreach efforts to encourage qualified firms to apply. Plans for public engagement events, including a possible open house and coordination with other community events, were also discussed to build public support and awareness for the courthouse project.