Monroe County justice building closed Monday, July 27 due to ‘plumbing issue’

It was around 5:20 p.m. on Friday (July 24) when the text alert went out announcing Monday’s (July 27) closure of the Monroe County justice building at 7th Street and College Avenue.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Monroe County Justice Building will be closed Monday, July 27th, 2026. This includes Probation, Community Corrections and the Public Defenders Office.

The “unforeseen circumstances” were labeled a “plumbing issue” by Angie Purdie who is administrator for the county commissioners. Purdie told The B Square the issue was on the south side of the building—she was not sure about how many offices were affected. Purdie believed that court administration offices and at least one judge’s office were affected.

[Updated 8:08 p.m. July 24, 2026: According to Purdie, the issue stemmed from a “blockage [of a sewer line] created by inmates” in the jail, which is located in the top two floors of the building. Purdie said that carpet and drywall are being removed as necessary. The building is getting cleaned, sanitized, and dried, she said. The building might be closed past Monday. Purdie said, “We will assess as we go though the weekend, if additional closures are needed.”]

A video from inside the building shows water pouring through the ceiling tiles of offices. Based on various reports from inside the building, the water seems to have come from backed up sewage, as opposed to water from a plumbing leak involving a supply line.

According to chief deputy sheriff Phil Parker, the impact on the jail, which is located on the top two floors of the building, was limited to having the water shut off. Parker said the jail had been notified that water service to the jail would be restored shortly.

At least three Yellow Service Master trucks were lined up along College Avenue around 5 p.m. as workers deployed hoses and vacuum lines into the the east side of the justice building.

One woman who arrived at the justice building just before 5 p.m., when The B Square was on site, was there to straighten out a jury summons. She did not think she was eligible to serve, because she is not a U.S. citizen. Having arrived after the 4 p.m. closing time for the building, she was planning to return Monday. She will now be greeted with a sign on the door that says the building is closed.

Video: Monroe County Justice Building (July 24, 2026)

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