Presiding Circuit Judge David Kimberley and Sheriff Todd Entrekin spoke to the Etowah County Commission about an atrium for the county Judicial Building during Tuesday’s work session.

The atrium would act as a shelter outside the building’s side entrance, which presently opens into a cramped hallway with a security checkpoint beside the probation and district attorney’s offices. People waiting on their security screening have to do so outside if a line forms, Entrekin said, and juries sometimes will have to wait there outside the building, whether it’s hot or freezing outside.

The new atrium would cost between $50,000 and $87,000 according to estimates from Entrekin and Commissioner Carolyn Parker, who said the project once was looked at by a contractor for the county. Those prices, Parker said, would not include heating or cooling, just the shelter.

Kimberly and Entrekin both said they viewed the potential addition as a security feature as well as a convenience, allowing for more space between the security checkpoint and the offices nearby.

“It’s practical, and much safer for folks in the probation office to move (visitors) a few feet back, so there’s more time to engage someone trying to get past the screening area to those offices,” said Kimberley.

Also during the work session, Chief Administrative Officer David Akins talked about web design firm Insyteful, with whom the commission is in tentative talks about building a website to market the Little Canoe Creek Megasite.

Insyteful specializes in websites for industrial site sales, providing data that ranges from local labor stats to interactive maps, aerial data and industry-specific, localized information to appeal to a broad range of targeted sectors.

The website would cost an estimated $37,000 initially, with $5,800 per year going toward maintenance and analytics tracking, which allows Insyteful, according to its website, to identify specific companies as they investigate the website.

“I’m very impressed with these folks, what they can do to pinpoint people inquiring about our site,” said Akins. “I think it’s a good first step.”

The company was recommended by Robert Parker, Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood’s vice president of engineering, who has long worked on the megasite project, and Tucson Roberts, the project’s marketing consultant.

During the commission’s meeting in its chambers, courthouse Facility Maintenance Manager Spencer Gray recognized courthouse employee Donna K. Green for 10 years of service on his staff.

Commissioners thanked her for her service, and said she always greets everyone with a smile.