The DeKalb County Courthouse has stood in downtown Sycamore for over 100 years, but next spring the building will get a face lift.

The courthouse was built in 1904 and received its first renovation in 1984, said Circuit Clerk Maureen Josh.

Josh said they hope to begin construction next spring. The planned addition will be added to the back of the building and will include office space and courtrooms.

“The addition will consist of office space for the state’s attorney’s offices on the northeast corner and another courtroom on the northwest corner of the first level,” said County Board Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias. Tobias also said there will be one more courtroom upstairs with additional space for later builds.

Josh said some residents have raised concerns about changing the historic building, but much of the original structure will remain exactly as it is.

“The construction of the new building will match as close as possible to the old building,” Josh said. “Obviously we can’t do the gold leafing on the ceiling like in this original courthouse because it’s not cost prohibitive.”

Josh said in the current facility, they’ve had to make new technology work with the old building, including security at the entrance to the courthouse.

“We’d have a line out the door of people waiting to come in and pass through security and the judges didn’t like that,” Josh said.

In addition to security upgrades at the courthouse entrance, the addition will also have security features for transporting prisoners as well.

“There will be a secure sally port in the back that the prisoners can be driven into and there will be holding cells and a secure elevator just for the prisoners,” Tobias said.

County Administrator Ray Bockman said the courthouse addition will be paid for with bonds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“It’s an alternate revenue bond that will be paid for by an existing sales tax revenue stream so, translation, no tax increase,” Bockman said.

Josh said when it comes time for construction in the spring, they plan to hire local laborers.

“Local labor will be a big part of this project,” Josh said. “We’ve been very fortunate to have the inter-county and inter-government cooperation when working on this project. Everyone’s working together and is so supportive.”

Tobias said the project committee will do a full blown presentation of the planned addition to the DeKalb County Board next week.

“We’re hoping that with the new addition the courthouse will serve the community as well as it has the last 100 years,” Tobias said.