Jefferson County Courthouse Detail Report

Main Courthouse

 

 

Component

Current Status

Recommendations

Cost

General Exterior

The exterior of the Jefferson County Courthouse is in good condition.  The building was originally constructed in 1806 and was rebuilt in the 1870’s after it was damaged in the civil war.  There have been several additions since that time.  It is on the national historic register and is approximately 12,000 square feet.  The building is brick masonry with a stone foundation and green metal roof. The courthouse has a basement, 1st, 2nd and attic levels.  Directly to the right side of the courthouse is a tan brick masonry building which has been turned into a wing, (P1, P2, P3, P4).

 

 

Directly behind the main courthouse lies the old abandoned jail, not currently in use.  Most of the buildings contained in the block of East Washington, North George, North Samuel and East Liberty Streets are owned by the county, or have recently been acquired.  There is a large Judicial building (St. Margaret’s Building) across North George Street from the Main Courthouse.  The Smoot insurance building was recently purchased. 

 

 

Exterior Walls

The walls are a brick masonry exterior with a stone foundation.  The foundation shows some erosion in the mortar joints, and some of the stone faces are wearing away, (P5, P6).  Some steps have cracks and missing mortar, (P7, P8).  The brick masonry looks to have been recently painted.  Very little evidence of water damage could be seen on the overall exterior.  All of the wood trim and molding are in good condition, except for some peeling paint, (P9). 

 

Repair the steps

 

Scrape and paint trim as necessary.

$3,000

 

$2,000

Roof

The pitched metal roof is in good condition, (P10).  There are no reports of any leaks.

 

 

 

Windows and Doors

The windows throughout the building are single pane, wood frame windows, (P11).  They are in good condition.  The doors are also wood.  Some of them have some rot at the bottom of the door and leak, (P12, P13). 

 

Replace damaged and leaking doors with historic profile solid wood doors.

$8,000

Fire Safety

The lighting in the hallways is inadequate.  The exit signs are deficient.  The fire alarm system is outdated with no strobe lights, (P14).  A sprinkler system and emergency lighting were installed in the late 1980’s.  The exit doors do not have panic hardware.

 

 

 

Upgrade the lighting in the hallways and stairwells.

 

Install exit signs.

 

Install a new fire alarm system heat and smoke detectors, horns and strobe lights.

 

Install panic hardware on the exit doors.

$5,000

 

$3,000

 

$27,000

 

 

$4,000

ADA Compliance

There is a lift present for those needing it, to access upper floors, (P18).  The restroom is not compliant.  The deficiencies include a too narrow doorway, too low sink, uninsulated piping, and improper grab bar, (P15, P16, P17).  The accessible parking space in the lot needs a $100 fine sign.  The curb painting on the street side parking appears to be worn away, (P9, P20).  The accessible door is not easy to open and does not have an automatic opener. The doors have knobs instead of lever handles, (P21).

 

Upgrade the bathroom to be ADA compliant.

 

Install proper signage at accessible parking spaces and upgrade painting on curb.

 

Install automatic door opener on accessible doors.

 

 

$1,000

 

$250

 

 

$5,000

Structure

 

The interior structure is in good condition.  There were no overloaded floors noted in the main courthouse.

 

 

 

Security

There is no limited access to the courthouse, which houses the circuit court.  There are no metal detectors, security cameras or other security system.

 

Install limited access control for the courthouse with the following:

     X-ray machine

     Metal Detector

     Alarmed Exit doors at non-public entrances

     Card Access System for employees

     Closed Circuit TV system

     Security Panel

     Security System with glass breakage alarms

 

Install ballistic materials on the courtroom bench, and clerk’s desk.

 

Install duress alarms for all necessary locations including the bench, judge’s chambers, secretary’s desk, clerk’s desk, receptionist’s desk, etc.

 

 

 

$35,000

$4,500

$7,500

$9,000

$12,000

$40,000

$7,000

 

$3,000

 

 

$2,000

Electrical

The electrical service in the building is being renovated.  The wiring should be in conduit in the basement.

 

Rewire Basement

$50,000

Mechanical

The mechanically systems in the courthouse are in good condition. The oil-fired boiler in the basement is to be replaced with a more modern heating system, (P26).

 

Replace HVAC system

$240,000

Work Safety

There is an asbestos concern throughout the building.  There are 9x9 tiles which appear to be asbestos and are wearing away, (P25)

 

Remove Asbestos

$63,000

Space requirements

According to a recent space need study there is a need for an additional 78,555 square feet we recommend demolishing the existing Jail and build a new judicial complex (P27, P28).

 

Demolish existing jail

 

Build a new judicial complex 78,555SF

$450,000

 

$11,390,475

Sub Total

 

 

$12,371,725

Soft Costs

Professional fees, permits, surveys, and studies

20% of total

$2,474,345

Total Cost

 

 

$14,846,070

 

 

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