Heritage group submits proposal for Johnson House

The Commissioners met on March 25 for their regular meeting, during which they approved the lease agreement with St. James Family Center for the Charlotte House location, which serves as a domestic violence shelter. The commissioners also voted to accept the bid from Bush Whackers LLC for roadside mowing, totaling $72,833 for 2025. During a work session with the Heritage Group Coalition to discuss plans for the Johnson House.

The group intends to utilize it as a central point for their planned Heritage Campus, which will encompass the Julia Butler-Hansen House, the museum, Strong Park, and the Johnson House. The group presented its proposal to the commissioners, which includes a four-month timeline and outlines how it intends to obtain funds for restoring the house and getting the project underway. The proposal also contains a list of questions for the commissioners.

There were concerns over the cost to the county, like insurance and the lack of any budget to cover this type of project. The county is also in the process of planning a new driveway for police vehicles, and the Johnson House plans could interfere with this. The commissioners will hold an executive session in the following month with members of different county departments to discuss the feasibility of the Johnson House plans and determine if this project is practical for the county.