Officials are looking at all options when it comes to finding more space for Carbon County departments.

On Thursday, the board of commissioners approved a proposal from Andress Appraisals of Palmerton for an appraisal of the former Jim Thorpe Administration Building at 410 Center Ave., Jim Thorpe. The cost of the appraisal is $2,500.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that the county is looking at the possibility of purchasing the building.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich noted that this action is also aligned with the appraisal from Person Agency that the county approved two weeks ago for the 525 Iron St., Lehighton building.

Carbon County has been looking at ways to ease the overcrowding issue several county offices have within the courthouse for quite some time, citing a desperate need for additional space for several offices.

Nothstein said two weeks ago that the pandemic amplified the problem in several offices that need more space.

The commissioners plan to continue to look at possible solutions, even as additional office is being constructed within the 44 and 76 Susquehanna St. buildings.

The county has also been leasing space from Jim Thorpe Area School District in its former administration building at 410 Center Ave.

Several departments, including the elections bureau and planning and development have relocated temporarily to this site while construction work continues at the 44/76 Susquehanna St., buildings.