CRESTVIEW — The City Council has unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners to replace the county courthouse.
Fire Chief Joe Traylor had approved the revised agreement after discussion at the council's December 2015 meeting.
County Commissioner Nathan Boyles said he hopes the old downtown courthouse will be vacated by the end of February, with Crestview retaining some functions during the new courthouse's demolition and construction.
Preparing temporary facilities has delayed vacating the current courthouse, he said.
Boyles said he had originally hoped the current courthouse would've been vacated by the end of 2015.
"We're having to renovate the space at the Old Bethel Road facility, and renovate some of the space in the old hospital to move clerk staff in there," Boyles said.
The former county hospital, on the corner of State Road 85 and U.S. Highway 90, now houses the Crestview Manor nursing home and several county services.
During construction, which is expected to last 16 to 18 months after demolition, county commissioners will have their Crestview meetings in the City Council chamber.
Boyles also said the county may help celebrate Crestview's centennial with related events.
"I hope there would be a ground-breaking ceremony (for the new courthouse) for the city centennial in April," Boyles said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Some court functions to remain in Crestview (VIDEO)