City Purchases Ohio Bell Putnam Street Building for $47,500

The Marietta Daily Times, July 17, 1956

The two-story brick building at 30[8] Putnam Street, formerly occupied by the Ohio Bell Telephone Company, was purchased Monday afternoon by the City of Marietta. It proposes to use it for the new municipal court.

Purchase price was $47,500, less $1,250 allowed the city for the removal of the overhead walk above the alley and $52.25 to cover the cost of the revenue stamps. City Auditor Norman L. LaFaber gave the city's check for $46,197.75. The city will take possession in 60 days.

Notes are to be issued in anticipation of a bond issue for $75,000. The remaining $28,802.25 will be for alterations on the building.

Sale of the building was closed in the office of City Solicitor Clifford D. Fleming. Those present besides Fleming were Safety-Service Director Harry L. Miller, City Auditor LaFaber, City Councilman Atty. Warren E. Souers, chairman of the special council committee that decided upon the location, and George O'Hara of Columbus, representing the telephone company.

New Municipal Court May Wind Up on Second Floor of City Hall

The Marietta Daily Times, July 20, 1956

There is a possibility that Marietta's new municipal court may be located on the second floor of city hall instead of the second floor of the newly purchased two-story Putnam Street building formerly occupied by the Ohio Bell Telephone Company.

Extensive rearrangement of city offices created by the establishment of the new court has city officials racking their brains as to the best way to meet the situation. 

Many Suggestions

While many suggestions have been advanced in the last few days, no definite decision is expected to be reached until around the first of the year when an architect will be employed to study the entire problem. The city will not obtain possession of the new building for 60 days.

The original intention was to purchase the building for location of the new court since alteration problems developed in regard to changes on the second floor of city hall. It is now believed that council will find it too expensive to attempt to move the present city jail or build a new jail in the newly acquired building opposite city hall.

It is reported that if the court is to occupy the entire second floor of city hall, the council chamber will be moved to the old telephone building. Since the court and its associated offices will require all the space on the second floor of city hall, there is talk of moving the offices of auditor, treasurer, clerk of council and the engineer's office across the street.

Passageway Cut

The council room would be converted into a municipal court room and a passageway cut through the treasurer's office connecting with city jail, which is on the same level. This would permit prisoners to be brought directly from jail to the court room.

Offices on the second floor would be converted for use of the judge, court clerk, witness room and jury room.

It has also been considered that moving city health offices from the first floor of city hall to the telephone building would provide more space for offices of the city water and sanitation departments.