INVERNESS, Fla. — A historic courthouse in Citrus County is getting a big makeover.

What You Need To Know

  • A renovation has been approved for the Old Citrus County Courthouse in downtown Inverness

  • Inverness City Council approved a bid to refurbish the historic courthouse in a cooperative effort with Citrus County
  • The last time the courthouse saw any upgrades was 20 years ago
  • Work is expected to be done in June at a cost of about $1 million

Inverness City Council approved a bid to refurbish the historic downtown courthouse in a cooperative effort with Citrus County. It’s bringing some much-needed revitalization to a downtown gem.

“It’s an iconic building,” said Eric Williams, city manager for the City of Inverness. “It’s probably the most significant, historic building in Citrus County.”

At the corner of US-41 and Courthouse Square proudly stands the Old Citrus County Courthouse: a centerpiece of downtown Inverness.

“These buildings create such an iconic destination,” Williams said. “Being a ‘small town done right,’ you need the old courthouse. Blending that in with the city’s approach to redevelopment over the last 20 years has just really been something we’ve been dying to have happen.”

Officials recently approved a refurbishment project for the courthouse, including exterior painting, new windows, and improved landscaping. Work has already gotten underway.

“An amazing asset that we have is an opportunity to leverage it,” says Steve Howard, county administrator with the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners. “Again, keep the history that’s here — we never want to forget the history. We have an opportunity to share this with the next generation and that’s exciting.”

It’s a major overhaul for a building that has witnessed so much throughout the years, including serving as a backdrop to the movie, “Follow That Dream,” starring Elvis Presley.

The last time the courthouse saw any upgrades was 20 years ago.

“We serve all the same citizens, but what an opportunity to leverage assets all together — look at this together — but also have some thought put into future planning,” said Howard.

Work on the courthouse may also be the first step in a wider-reaching partnership between city and county with future projects down the road.

“I think there’s some opportunities for the future as we look to maximize things like our tourist development council and the relationships with the city’s park and rec and cultural arts program,” says Williams. “I see those things really being huge, because the more that we work together, I think there’s a brighter day and a high tide for the community.”

A big step for the self-proclaimed, “small city done right.”

Workers have already begun work on the courthouse and expect to finish in June. The project’s estimated cost is about $1 million.