The Logan County OSU Extension Office now has a more professional and permanent office space thanks to a project that took shape this spring to construct an interior wall the 1100 S. Detroit St., facility, which it shares with the Logan County Solid Waste Management District.
Link Construction built the wall that incorporates interior windows looking into the Logan County OSU Extension Office through funding provided by the Logan County Commissioners. The permanent wall replaces former temporary partitions that divided the office space.
“Previously, there was not much of a barrier between the staff and the public, which could feel uncomfortable in certain situations,” Commissioner Joe Antram said Tuesday during an unveiling of the wall, where he was joined by fellow Commissioners Mike Yoder and Greg Fitzpatrick.
“The health and safety of the OSU Extension Office staff is important to us, so we wanted to take on this project.
“Also with the construction of the wall, now there can be simultaneous meetings taking place here without any interruptions.”
Logan County 4-H Educator Olivia Ruffner said the project has greatly improved the office space overall.
“Things felt kind of temporary before with all of the partitions here and there. The new wall gives us a much better office space to work with and better ways to interact with the public.”
Jacob King, Logan County’s new agriculture and natural resources educator, said he has enjoyed the improved space as well.
“People stop in here about every day to ask me all sorts of questions and they bring in all kinds of things with them, from flowers to tree limbs to even some bees recently,” he said. “It’s easier to interact with the public now with the new set-up and it’s also easier for them to know where our office with the new signs.
“It’s always a pleasure to serve the people, and I enjoy making home visits as well to address different questions that folks have.”
Ruffner also noted that Logan County Solid Waste Management District Director Todd Bumgardner joined in to provide his expertise during the planning for the wall, with his background previously working for the Logan County Engineer’s Office.
“He was a huge help to us, as he knows all about building codes and construction,” she said.
As a parting gift to the Logan County OSU Extension Office, former Logan County office associate Jess Barker, who recently moved away from the area, helped to create a wall of historical memorabilia for the new interior wall. It incorporates items from the Logan County Fair, including a ticket from the 1946 Logan County Fair; along with Logan County 4-H and agricultural-related items.
