(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials in Pottawattamie County say the final stages of construction for a 22,000 square foot addition to the courthouse in Council Bluffs, are approaching, and the news entrance will officially open to the public on Monday, January 22nd. Construction on the east side of the courthouse began in June 2021. Recent winter weather events have prevented the completion of a few final items for the project, but the wide-ranging scope of work is expected to benefit citizens of Pottawattamie County in several ways.

Enhanced Safety & Security:
The new entrance is the only public entry and exit for the building. The west side doors off 6th Street will now be used for Emergency Exit only. The decision to limit entry and exit to one side of the building comes after much discussion with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office and is an adjustment to enhance safety and security measures.

Free Two-Hour Parking:
Parking for the courthouse will experience a change in structure with the opening of the new entrance. Prior to its closure during construction, the parking lot on the east side of the courthouse included parking meters at each stall. Visitors previously paid 50 cents per half-hour of parking, with a two-hour time limit. Courthouse visitors can now park for up to two hours at no cost. A new gate and ticket system will be implemented in the coming weeks.