Kanawha County Courthouse Report

 

Component

Current Status

Recommendations

Cost

General Exterior

It is a large stone courthouse, built around 1786 with several additions following.  The total square footage of the courthouse is approximately 340,300 square feet.  The courthouse consists of three floors with a basement and an attic.  The courthouse building appears to be in good condition, (P81, P82, P83, P84, P86, P87, P92, P93, P98, P99, P100).

 

In 1983, a building for courtrooms and offices was built across the street.  A building in Dunbar is used for storage. 

 

 

Exterior Walls

The Exterior walls appear to be in fair to good condition, having no major cracks.  There is some minor damage to mortar and materials on the outside of the building and some mold problems, (P85, P91, P105)

 

Clean exterior areas, as needed.

$143,500

Roof

The roof is a pitched tile roof and flat rubber membrane.  It is in the process of being replaced, (P3, P9, P10)

 

 

 

Windows and Doors

The entrance doors are aluminum/glass, in good condition, and functioning properly, (P73).

 

The windows are a range of materials, the oldest being single-glazed wood windows.  These have peeling paint and missing caulk around some of the windows, (P18, P19, P37)

 

 

 

Replace the old windows that are original with historical replacement windows.

 

 

 

$40,000

ADA Compliance

Not all of the additions to the courthouse are ADA accessible.  There is a temporary wheelchair lift to provide access in one location, (P40).  The accessible parking is acceptable with an automatic door opener, and a ramp, but needs proper signage.  There is an accessible bathroom available. 

 

Install a permanent wheelchair lift for the change in level within the courthouse.

 

Install additional signage for handicapped parking.

$8,000

 

 

$1,200

Fire Safety

There are adequate fire alarms, strobe lights, and horns.  The exits and stairs were clearly marked with lighted signs, (P60, P67, P68).

 

 

 

Structure

 

There were no major cracks found in the structure.  Structural defects seemed to be minor and old.  There is a lot of water damage evident throughout the building.  This damage is believed to be caused by roof leaks so it should be alleviated by the new roof, (P20, P30, P36)

 

After the roof is replaced, the water-damaged areas should be patched and repaired.

  $20,000

Security

There is a metal detector in front of the old Courtroom doors.  The building has Closed Circuit TV.  Since no court is held in this building limited access is not required.

 

 

Electrical

The electrical system and lighting appears to be adequate within most of the building.  There are some areas which need to be upgraded.  There are many things stored in the electrical room. 

 

Upgrade the electrical service to the older parts of the building as needed and add covers to all light fixtures.

 

Remove stored items from electrical room.

$340,000

Mechanical

There are window units as well as split systems supplying air conditioning throughout the building.  The heat is provided by a variety of sources including a natural gas boiler and other sources.  There are many things stored around the boiler.  These items should be removed immediately.  There are complaints about poor ventilation and rooms going from cold to hot too rapidly in different areas of the building. 

 

Upgrade the HVAC system to provide better ventilation and more even heating and cooling in the building as needed. 

 

Remove items stored around the boiler.

$600,000

Work Safety

The cleanliness of the building in some areas was not appropriate for a county facility, (P17), and appears to be contributing to be a pest problem.  Many roaches were found and there were reports of rats in the basement, (P44, P71).  

 

 

 

There are mold problems in the building that should be investigated, (P15, P5, P38). 

 

An extermination company should be hired to provide pest control for the entire building.  They should inspect the building and make recommendations for a method to eliminate the rodent problem.  This should include removing any food sources, moisture sources, and other pest attractors

 

Conduct mold toxicity study to determine the type and method of elimination throughout the building.

 

 

$5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$15,000

 

Space requirements

There are materials stored in Dunbar.  There is a need for additional storage in the onsite in Charleston.

 

Add an additional 20,000 square feet for storage space.

$1,600,000

Subtotal

 

 

$2,772,700

Soft Costs

Professional fees, permits, surveys, and studies

20% of total

$554,540

Total Cost

 

 

$3,327,240

 

 

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