FRANKLIN COUNTY — Demolition of the 145-year-old Franklin County Courthouse in Benton is set to begin this week

Franklin County Board Chairman Randall Crocker says the demolition crew will probably start tearing down the structure early Wednesday morning and have the site cleared by Friday, Aug. 21.

Barriers were installed Friday around the courthouse to help protect motorists driving around the square and crews working on the demolition. Crocker says all the work will be done inside the barriers which should have a very minimal impact on traffic flow and parking for the businesses on the Square.

Once demolition is finished, the month of August will be used to complete all contract negotiations on the construction and Sept. 1 is when construction is set to begin.

The new 46,000 square-foot courthouse should be finished in late 2021.