VIDALIA — The Concordia Parish Courthouse opened a new wheelchair lift to public access Monday — the first completed part of a larger capital outlay project that will include an approximately $400,000 courtroom renovation.

The wheelchair lift — compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 — was contracted through Wilmar Construction Company Inc. for $73,865, said Concordia Police Jury Secretary-treasurer Sandi Burley during Monday’s police jury meeting.

The full project, which includes the courtroom renovation should commence after the cost is approved, Burley said.

Meanwhile, jury members agreed during the regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening to close the side entrances of the courthouse and redirect public access to the front entrance and dispatch doors only, which will be effective Oct. 1.

Burley said the side doors would only be accessible by employees with access key cards, which would alleviate some safety concerns.

In other matters at the jury meeting, with district four juror Jerry Beaty absent, the jury:

• Approved a review by parish property assessor Jerry Clark of an appeal of the assessed value of Aaron’s Inc. on Carter Street, which was assessed at $814,533, by a vote of 8-0.
• Approved a list of ordinance violations for debris and grass and weeds by a vote of 8-0.
• Approved material work requests by a vote of 8-0.