Main
Courthouse
|
Component |
Current Status |
Recommendations |
Cost |
|
General Exterior |
The main courthouse consists of the original cut stone building and a more modern brick and pre-cast concrete building. (Two buildings now working as one building). P21, P41, P36. They both share the same flat, built up roof. The following buildings constitute the courthouse complex: · Main courthouse (older and more modern part) · Old School Building (reportedly not owned by the courthouse but occupied by the prosecuting attorney) · · Magistrate Court (Old House) |
We propose converting the existing main courthouse into administrative offices and adding a 50,000 square feet judicial annex (See “Space Requirements” below). The new judicial annex would house the circuit courts, magistrate courts and family law courts. The existing magistrate court building would be torn down and that area would be converted in to parking. Remodel Interior of the courthouse and convert into administrative offices (assuming 12,000 square feet) |
See Magistrate Court Report $960,000 |
|
Exterior Walls |
Although slightly stained, the exterior walls are in very good shape for both the older cut stone portion and the more modern portion of the courthouse. The concrete steps at the front left entrance of the newer part have several cracks. P38. There was some brick missing from the right side of the newer part of the courthouse near the employee parking area P11. More exterior photos: P12, P36, P39, P40, P41. |
Repair doorstep to eliminate a possible trip hazard. Replace the missing brick. Clean the brick and pre-cast concrete exterior of the newer part of the courthouse. |
$ 500 $ 500 $ 8,000 |
|
Roof |
The roof on both the old and the new part of the courthouse is a built-up roof. There are no leaks according to Maintenance. There is evidence of old water damage inside building from the old roof. Ponding occurs after a hard rain. P29, P31. Maintenance repaired one section of roof that was damaged by legs of the air handling unit. The legs pierced the roof and caused water to enter the building. P29, P30. |
Install tapered insulation and a new EPDM membrane roof to obtain a positive drain and to eliminate the ponding problem. |
$ 32,000 |
|
Windows and Doors |
The windows and doors in the older portion of the main courthouse are wooden and are in good condition. The windows in the newer portion are aluminum and are in good condition. P12, P36, P39, P40, P41. |
|
|
|
Fire Safety |
The main courthouse has a fire alarm system, an emergency lighting system with battery backup, fire signs and pull alarms and horns throughout. No hallways or stairwells are obstructed. The doors are equipped with panic hardware and they swing in the direction of the exit. Maintenance regularly checks the fire alarm system and the batteries. P62, P46, P34, P35 |
Install a sprinkler system. Cost is included in “Remodel Interior” above. |
See Remodel Interior Above |
ADA Compliance
|
The building has ADA bathrooms. P43, P44 ADA parking is available near the entrance, but there is no curb ramp. P61 |
Equip all doors with ADA lever hardware and place ADA signs throughout the building during renovation. Cost is included in “Remodel Interior” above. |
See Remodel Interior Above |
Structure
|
There were no noticeable structural problems noted during the inspection of the courthouse. There was a crack noted above a door on the third floor. P50. |
Repair the crack with spackling. Paint and monitor. Cost is included in “Remodel Interior” above. |
See Remodel Interior Above |
|
Security |
The security in the building was upgraded in 1999. There are security cameras in the courthouse. Access to some floors of the courthouse can only be obtained by unlocking the security pad for the desired floor on the elevator. Entrance is restricted to the main entrance. P60 There are no metal detectors present at the entrance. The courtroom accessed had duress buttons and ballistic material on the judge’s bench. P33 |
Install a magnetometer and an X-ray machine at the main entrance. |
$40,000 |
|
Electrical |
Most of the distribution panels and disconnects appear to be original to the building. Some are showing signs of moisture. P83 Several panels have been added and are in good condition. An emergency generator has been added. P84 Some panels are difficult to access. |
Clean the connections in the panels that have been exposed to moisture. Remove the obstructions in front of the panels so that they can be accessed. Most of the equipment can be reused when renovating. Cost of electrical work is included in “Remodel Interior” above. |
See Remodel Interior Above |
|
Mechanical |
The heat source is from a gas fired boiler in good condition. Air conditioning is served by condensing units on the roof and air handlers in the basement. All HVAC appears to be in good condition and in good working order. P23, P24, P54, P75, P45 |
Most of the equipment can be reused when renovating. There will be some modifications with the renovation. Cost of mechanical work is included in “Remodel Interior” above. |
See Remodel Interior Above |
|
Work Safety |
The paint is peeling in some areas of the building. P48 A few pieces of the ceiling tiles appear to be a bit unstable. P32. A piece has chipped off of a step in the stairwell. P35 |
Repaint the walls, replace the ceiling tiles and replace the tread material on the steps during renovation. Cost included in “Remodel Interior” above. |
See Remodel Interior Above |
|
Space requirements |
The main courthouse is very cramped for space for storage of documents. The floors did not appear to be overloaded. There was quite a bit of document storage in the basement. Hancock County is storing documents six miles away to conform to document storage requirements. |
More space is needed. Cramped space will be alleviated with the addition of a new judicial Annex. New 50,000 square foot Judicial Annex |
$7,250,000 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
$8,291,000 |
|
Soft Cost |
Professional fees, permits, surveys, and studies |
20% |
1,658,200 |
|
Total |
|
|
9,949,200 |
