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Component |
Current Status |
Recommendations |
Cost |
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General Exterior |
The Clay County Courthouse is relatively new, being constructed in 1977, (P1) so there are few major problems. The building is approximately 22,700 square feet in two stories, (P2, P3, P4, P5). Settlement may become a problem as the courthouse sits very near the bank of the Elk River. |
The Courthouse building is in good shape but it does not house all of the courthouse functions. The Magistrate system is housed in the original courthouse (1902) (P6) now maintained by the historic society. The original building is in poor repair and needs major repair/restoration work (see report). |
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Exterior Walls |
The building is brick on a concrete foundation. The building appears stable, with only a few minor cracks in the foundation. The structure appears to be sound; however, there is evidence of some settlement (P7). There are several cracks along the joints of the building and a lot of insulation has fallen from the cracks (P8). No evidence of leaking was found. |
Seal all joints to keep the insulation from leaking out and have a structural/geotechnical engineer to evaluate if the cracks indicate continual movement. |
$5,000 |
|
Roof |
The roof is a low sloped rubber membrane which has some bubbles scattered throughout. It has several, tiny, raised locations throughout the entire roof (P9). The roof has no walking pads to roof top equipment. |
If the roof is original, it is 23 years old and exceeds the 20 year expected life span of EPDM. We recommend replacing the roof and installing walking pads to the roof top equipment and a roof mounted safety rail. |
$35,000 |
|
Windows and Doors |
The windows are aluminum-framed, double-pane, and original, except for a few on the front side of the building which had to be replaced due to damage when the building across the street burned. The doors are aluminum and glass and in generally good shape. |
The windows and doors are in good shape; thus, need no attention at this time except the main entrance needs to be retrofitted for ADA. See ADA section below. |
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ADA Compliance |
There are two marked handicap parking spots; neither one is completely up to code. The one on the front of the building is on the street, with no room for exiting the vehicle and no ramp onto the sidewalk, (P10). The sign does not indicate a $100.00 fine as required by state law. The second handicap spot is located in the back, (P11). It has plenty of room, but does not indicate a $100.00 fine as required by state law and it needs boundary lines and an accessible symbol painted on the pavement. The ramp into the back door does not meet the ADA standards; it is also not wide enough. There is no signage in the hallways and the fire alarms have no strobes. The doorways do have lever handles. There is an accessible restroom on the ground floor, but it falls short of being ADA compliant. One bathroom has a broken stall. The stalls are not wide or long enough. The hot water pipes need to be insulated and the sinks need to have lever handles. The fire alarm in the bathrooms do not have strobe lights. |
We recommend renovating the building to meet current ADA standards: ADA Parking paint and signs Entry doors Restroom Renovations Hardware and signage Alarm and strobe lights Install a witness stand/Judge’s stand ramp |
$240 $2,700 $40,000 $1,200 (see fire safety below) $18,000 |
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Fire Safety |
The building has a fire alarm system, but the alarms do not have strobes. The building does not have a sprinkler system. The exit lights are in place and working but there are no emergency lights in the building. There are two means of egress from each floor, through fire-rated stairwells. The doors swing in the direction of the exit. Smoke detectors were located in all air ducts, (P12). The fire alarm control box is a Simplex model, (P13). There are chairs and tables stored under both stairwells. There are two or more exits in the courtroom, the only room that serves 50 or more people. |
Install Emergency lighting Recommendations replace the existing fire alarm horns with combination horn/strobe units. And install new units in toilet rooms. Remove stored items from stair wells. |
$1,200 $1,500 |
Structure
|
There is a little evidence of settlement and several cracks along the joints of the building. |
We recommend joints around the building be sealed to prevent moisture from damaging the structure. |
$600 |
|
Security |
Security cameras are in place around perimeter of courthouse and in the courtroom. There is a metal detector located outside the entrance to the courtroom which is used in high profile cases, (P14). The parking lot has security lights. The building has an ADT security system, (P15). |
The recommendations from the Supreme Court of Appeals Security Audit Report seem to have been accommodated. |
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Electrical |
The main electric entrance is 1200 A, 120/208 V, 3 phase, 4 wire, (P16, P17, P18). The building is adequately lit by a combination of fluorescent and incandescent lights. The parking lot has security lights. |
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Mechanical |
The HVAC systems are in good condition and are adequate for the building, according to personnel. There are air duct smoke detectors located in all ductwork. The furnace rooms are neat and clean, and the assortment of furnaces are well maintained (last service 9-27-2001). All the furnaces are G.E. brand natural gas-fired warm air units. There are a total of 6-106,000 Btu/Hr, 3-133,000 Btu/Hr, and 5-120,000 Btu/Hr furnaces, (P19, P20, P21, P22). The building is cooled by a medley of condensers, (P23). The building HVAC seems to be in good condition. Some water/sewage lines were replaced around 6 years ago when a new public water system was installed. |
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Work Safety |
Gasoline powered equipment is stored in the building. Items should not be stored under fire-rated stairwells. |
All gasoline powered equipment should be removed from the building or stored in appropriate fire resistant storage units. As soon as possible. The tables and chairs currently stored there should be moved to another location. |
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Space requirements |
Ideas have been discussed for expansion either to restore the original courthouse or to build a new annex building on top or adjacent to the existing building. |
See Old Courthouse proposed restoration. Additional storage 5000 square feet |
$285,000 |
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Subtotal Cost |
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$390,440 |
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Soft Costs |
Professional fees, permits, surveys, and studies |
20% of total |
$78,088 |
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Total Cost |
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$468,528 |
