Icons For Sale: What If the Courthouse Were Next?

Editor's note: This is the 10th of a multipart summer series by  and looking at the iconic Geneva buildings for sale or facing future moves, and what those moves mean for Geneva's long-term development. See the series intro .

To call the courthouse on Third Street iconic would be an understatement—it’s the cornerstone landmark of Geneva.

During Swedish Days, children climb on the cannons out front while their parents listen to live music and catch up with friends. When the weather turns cold and it’s time for the , people huddle together to watch Mayor Kevin Burns light the towering pine tree on the lawn.

On nights like that, Burns said he’ll sometimes just stand in front of the courthouse, lost in thought. “It almost speaks to you—the history of who’s been there and all the cases,” he said.  “And you think, ‘OK, tomorrow it’s vacated. What happens?’ ” 

It’s a question the city’s hoping to address as the is finalized, said Dick Untch, director of community development.  But one thing’s for sure—the building’s not going anywhere.

“It’s probably the most iconic building in downtown,” said Ellen Divita, the city’s economic development director. “If it were to change, it would be adaptive reuse, because nobody wants to see it torn down.”

Wheaton recently faced a similar problem, as city officials attempted to repurpose their city’s historic courthouse. Plans to convert the interior into posh condominiums were originally put on hold as developers struggled to find tenants willing to pre-buy spaces. 

Though Burns and Untch agreed that condominiums in Geneva’s courthouse would be incredible, they’re hesitant to follow in Wheaton’s footsteps. 

“The cost to retrofit that building would be extraordinary,” said Burns.  

Still, any decision on the property is a long way off. Craig Maladra, alderman of Geneva’s 5th Ward, said he doubted the county would put the courthouse on the market any time soon, but he suggested they might consider relocating the services provided by the courthouse to the justice center.

On the other hand, Divita said some people would like to see all the government agencies downtown moved into the courthouse. “Everyone’s got a different opinion on it,” Divita said.

As the downtown master plan begins to take shape, Untch said he expects to hear many more opinions, and they’ll be taking them all into account as they look more seriously at the property. Whatever the future may hold, Burns said the courthouse’s emotional value far exceeds its economic value. 

“What it can be? Who knows?” said Burns. “But it’s going to be there forever, so it better be something special.”