security standards based upon design and infrastructure issues." At the time, Justice Court proceedings were held in the building's small basement, which lacked an emergency exit. Plumbing and electrical lines were also exposed throughout the structure. The U.S. Marshals Service report confirmed earlier findings in 2003 by the Nevada Supreme Court's Commission on Rural Courts. Freiburger made a recommendation to the county to find an alternative courthouse location, stating, "Should a serious security breach occur, the close proximity could endanger residents and many of the middle school children in the immediate area." The courthouse remained open as there were no other court facilities in the county. In January 2010, Papez said that security had improved at the courthouse and that he felt comfortable being in the building. Papez also said that he and his staff were working to further improve security. In March 2010, the Seventh Judicial District Court banned visitors from carrying weapons inside the building. New facility By January 2017, a new courthouse complex was being planned for construction on a different parcel of land in Ely, adjacent to the Public Safety building. The new courthouse was proposed due to the security concerns regarding the old courthouse, where District and Justice Court trials continued to be held. At the time, the first floor was occupied by several county offices, including separate offices for the treasurer and the county clerk. Justice Court proceedings were still being held in the building's basement, and the close proximity between the jury box and inmates who are on trial remained a security concern. A request by the county for $10 million was submitted to the Nevada Legislature to aid in the funding of a new courthouse/jail facility, which was expected to cost a total of $25 million to $30 million. Regarding security concerns, District Attorney Mike Wheable said, "A high security inmate whose already serving a life sentence, what does he have to lose? And let's talk about what's going on, outside of the courthouse? You have recess for the middle school kids at the park, mothers and fathers taking their kids to the library and senior citizens meeting up to have lunch at the Senior Center, while here's a full CERT team armed with assault rifles and shotguns, on the perimeter of the building, on the back steps, and on the roof. These two circles are overlapping". Ely mayor Melody VanCamp said,