Hancock County Courthouse Detail Report

Magistrate Annex

 

Component

Current Status

Recommendations

Cost

General Exterior

The exterior of the Magistrate’s Annex is brick masonry, vinyl siding and a moderately pitched asphalt shingle roof. This is in an old house with additions. The building is very small and the layout is cut up, thus inefficient for use as an office complex. The exterior is in good shape and there is no noticeable water or structural damage. P6, P9, P10, P70, P71

Demolish the existing building and move the magistrate’s court to the new judicial annex proposed on the main courthouse report. The existing courthouse complex parking is very limited; therefore, we recommend that a parking lot be installed in the space now occupied by the building.

 

 

Demolish the existing building and foundation.

 

Install parking lot.

 

 

 



 

 

 

$  6,000

 

$15,000

Exterior Walls

The brick masonry and the vinyl siding are in good shape. P5

 

 

Roof

The roof is in good condition. P8, P72.

 

 

Windows and Doors

The windows appear to have been replaced recently. They are vinyl replacement windows and are in good condition. The entrance doors are metal with glass and are in good condition. P5, P6, P8, P9, P10, P70, P71, P72.

 

 

Fire Safety

The exits are well marked. There are several exits from the building. The seating in the courtroom is portable and is very cramped. The cramped space would make it difficult to exit in the case of an emergency. P68, P69.

Move to proposed judicial annex building.

 

Structure

 

The structure looked fine. The age of the old house could not be determined.

 

 

Security

One of the major problems noted by the security personnel is the congested traffic caused by prisoners, families and officials moving in and out of the courtroom. They noted that it is very hard to manage the people and to keep the area secure. The prisoners are led through a very narrow, very steep stairway.  They also noted that it was difficult to monitor all of the entrances during court proceedings due to the choppy layout of the building. They mentioned that on occasions they have had to interrupt court proceedings to retrieve documents or get from one part of the house to another. Employees have to wait until the hearing is over from time to time which reduces the employees’ efficiency. P63, P67, P68, P69, P70, P71.

Move to proposed judicial annex building.

 

Electrical

Older electrical systems. P55, P58.

 

 

Mechanical

Gas and HVAC for house. P7, P57.

 

 

Work Safety

 

 

 

Space requirements

Very limited and poorly configured.

Move to proposed judicial annex building.

 

Subtotal

 

 

$21,000

Soft Costs

Professional fees, permits, surveys, and studies

20%

4,200

Total

 

 

$25,200

 

 

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