McDowell County Courthouse Annex Detail Report

 

Component

Current Status

Recommendations

Cost

General Exterior

The building was constructed in the 1930’s and was taken over by the courthouse in 1966. The annex is 2 stories with a basement and has a stone foundation.

 

Exterior –     Front P27

-         Rear P30

 

 The annex needs immediate physical upgrading.

 

 

 

 

 

Exterior Walls

The exterior is in fair condition. The brick, on one corner of the building, is showing cracks of up to ½ inch. There appears to be a settlement problem in this area. P33 P34 P35

The exterior of the building needs to be cleaned.

 

Exterior masonry cleaning and patch brick and mortar.

 

A structural engineer needs to be consulted for further evaluation of the foundation.

$   12,000

 

$     1,500

 

 

$     5,000

Roof

The roof is flat and is in very poor condition. It is most likely the original roof. P18 P19 Water stands on the roof and leaks through to the offices. P11  Water has been collected in 50 gal trash cans.

 

 

Replace the roof.

 

 

$   11,000

Windows and Doors

The windows are wooden with single glazing. P6 P32

Most windows will not open. Some windows have been replaced with aluminum windows.  P4 The doors are aluminum and glass and are easy to open. P2

 

 

The existing doors and windows provide very little insulation. Replace all exterior doors and windows with commercial grade doors and sashes.

 

 

$   30,000

Fire Safety

There are no fire alarms, sprinklers or exit signs.  There  are emergency lights. The stairs are not enclosed by fire rated walls or doors. P23 P24 There are two exits in the courtroom but one is blocked. The building does not have two exits on every floor. There is no exit on the second floor. The exit doors swing in the direction of the exit and are equipped with panic hardware.

Install fire alarm system, sprinkler system and emergency  lights. Provide a second exit in the courtroom. Provide an emergency exit from all levels of the building. Enclose the stairwell with fire rated doors.

 

This can be achieved through the renovation process. The estimated cost is included in “Remodel Interior” below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Below

Structure

 

The building has a stone foundation and is showing signs of settlement in one area. The basement appears to be dry and is in good condition. There is no noticeable damage to the floor system.

The building needs to be completely remodeled inside. This would include all new flooring, drywall, trim, paint, interior doors with ADA hardware, ceilings, light fixtures and keyed switches, receptacles and bathrooms. Repair foundation per engineer’s recommendation.

 

Remodel Interior of annex (approximately 6,500 sq. feet)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$860,000

Security

There are only two ways into the building. The building has several security cameras and a security system. There are no metal detectors or X-ray machines. There are Duress buttons throughout the building. The judge’s bench has ballistic material. The public restrooms are in the courtroom.

Restrict all entry to the building to the main entrance. Install a magnetometer and an X-ray machine at the entrance. The existing security system and cameras may be reused.

 

Replace all light switches in the building with keyed switches when remodeling. Remove bathrooms from the courtroom. Replace all interior doors during the renovation process tol make the judge’s chamber, as well as all other offices in the building, more secure. The cost of doing so is included in “Remodel Interior” above.

 

$  40,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Above

Electrical

The electrical wiring and the electric panels in the building are very old and are in poor condition.  Many lights reportedly burn out in only one day and several receptacles smoke.

 

Replace all wiring, panels and connections during renovation. The estimated cost is included in “Remodel Interior” above.

 

 

See Above

Mechanical

There is no central air conditioning. Window AC units and space heaters are being used. The heat source appears to be a coal fired boiler converted to gas. P8

Replace with a new HVAC system during the renovation process.  Cost of mechanical upgrading is included in “Remodel Interior” above.

 

 

See Above

Work Safety

The wiring, as mentioned above, is a major safety issue. The bathrooms are in very bad condition. Only one out of five toilets is operating properly.  The urinals do not work and about half of the sinks do not work. The ceiling is also a major safety issue because it is collapsing in sections from the roof leaks. P13

The work area will become much safer after the

building’s interior has been renovated and the new roof has been installed. The cost is included in “Remodel Interior” above.

 

 

 

See Above

Space requirements

Space is very limited in the annex building.

Additional space has been recommended for the entire courthouse complex on the main courthouse report.

See Main

Report

ADA Compliance

The building is accessible from the front through ADA parking and a ramp. The signs in the sidewalk are a hindrance for the disabled. The railing on the ramp is not adequate. Wooden lattice is being used instead of metal rails. The turning room at entrance is not sufficient. There is lack of lever hardware in some areas of the building. There is a single occupancy ADA bathroom on the first floor. P5 There is no elevator.

Install ADA signs and ADA door hardware on the doors during the renovation process. Install proper railing on the ramp and increase the landing area at the entrance.

 

The building shall become ADA compliant through the renovation process.  The estimated cost is included in “Remodel Interior” above.

 

Install elevator

 

 

 

 

 

 

See Above

 

$     80,000

Subtotal

 

 

$1,039,500

Soft Costs

Professional fees, permits, surveys, and studies

20%

$207,900

Total

 

 

$1,247,400

McDowell County Index Page