Cornerstone Laying Ceremony for the Brooke County Judicial Center

McKinley Architecture and Engineering led the design of the new Judicial Center for the Brooke County Commission.

The program is for a new 3-story, 33,000 SF Judicial Center on the site directly south of the existing courthouse annex. The Judicial Center will include the Circuit Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Prosecutors office, Probation office, secure holding cells on each floor and all supporting staff for each.

The building is a steel framed with a brick and stone veneer. There is a large glass entry facing the Ohio River. In addition, it has been situated so that first floor is out of the 100 year flood plain and it is still completely accessible to the public. There will also be additional parking on an adjacent property.

On July 23rd, a major step of the project took place, with the laying of a ceremonial cornerstone. County leaders, the Brooke County Commissioners, representatives of the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce, members of the West Virginia Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and others looked on as the Masons conducted the ceremony.

The ceremony included consecrating the cornerstone with corn, wine and oil, which are Masonic symbols of prosperity, health and peace. Speakers addressed the crowd and highlighted the importance of this investment in the county.