Mercer County Court of Common Pleas isn't planning to recommend any changes in re-establishing boundaries or classes of magisterial districts this year, said Court Administrator Peter Morin.

Every 10 years after the release of the federal census, the court is required by law to re-establish the district justice offices, Morin said. Mercer County has five magisterial districts. This year, the court's decision must be submitted to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts by April 19.

"We're not planning to recommend any change," Morin said. "It hasn't been changed now in years."

The process was supposed to be complete last year, but was stymied until an organized task force could determine formal procedures, Morin said.

Though no redistricting for the local district justices is planned, better facilities are.

New offices are in the planning stages for district justices Henry J. Russo, Hermitage, and William L. Fagley, Greenville.

The new offices won't change any jurisdictional boundaries, Morin said.

The anticipated location for Russo's office will move him to Farrell on the southwest corner of Spearman Avenue and Roemer Boulevard, across from the post office. Fagley's location is to remain in Greenville, but move from Clinton Street to North Race Street.

Fagley's office in Greenville will be moved to a remodeled building. Russo's office in Farrell will consist of new construction. Morin said both offices should be complete by the end of this year. Both district justices have big caseloads and need more space.

"It's something we've been looking forward to for years," Fagley said.

Both district justices will work in their current locations until construction and remodeling are over.

Russo said he doesn't know much about the plans for his new office space.

"We needed space for a long time; that's a well-known fact in the area," he said. "The space we have has been inadequate for years. It's way too small ... We have a bigger workload but our space is insufficient. Compared to other offices in the county, this one is the least functional."

The Spearman Avenue site is the home of the former First Methodist Church. The city demolished the building over the summer, and the owners turned over title to the property to the city.

The city also is negotiating to buy an adjoining parcel. Council gave the mayor approval Monday to execute an agreement to buy the lot, which has a house on it, from John and Toula Hardesty for $18,000.

"We just want to have a complete site to offer," said City Manager LaVon Saternow.

City solicitor Stephen Mirizio said the county could rent the property from the city or buy it, but county officials are leaning toward buying it.

Money to improve or relocate the offices was included in a $34 million bond issue, which is also going toward courthouse improvements and a new county jail.

Though there are no changes in magisterial districts, public comments and questions are being accepted in writing until April 17. A proposal review has to be submitted to the state, and the final packet is due by the end of June.