Mercer County Executive Summary

Front of Courthouse

The Mercer County courthouse was built in the 1930s, and it is a two-story building with a basement and an attic. The stone exterior of the building is in good condition, but there is evidence of water damage and mold and moss growing on the walls. We recommend cleaning and repairing the stone. This building does have problems with pigeons, therefore, a pigeon deterrent should be installed. The windows are original to the building and they are in poor condition. New windows should be installed.

The building contains fire alarms, exit lights, and emergency lights, but needs firewalls and fire doors.

This building is not ADA compliant and will need major renovation for it to meet ADA compatibility requirements.

There are some cracks inside and outside of the building. The cracks appear to be old and unchanging, but if continued movement occurs, we recommend having the situation studied by a structural engineer.

To improve security to this building, we recommend equipping the facility with an entry-level screening with an X-ray machine and walk through metal detector. All other doors should be protected with a card access system. Exit doors except the main entrance should be protected with audible alarms, magnetic contacts and crash bars. We also recommend extending the CCTV system throughout the secure areas of the courthouse. In addition, duress alarms should be installed beneath the judge’s desk, secretary’s desk, judge’s bench in the courtroom, hearing table in the jury room, and the clerk’s desk. The family court should be provided with duress alarms. Two duress alarms should be installed, one beneath the front counter and one beneath an office desk. Duress alarms should be installed beneath the magistrates’ desks magistrates’ assistants’ desks, and the bench in the courtroom. The judge’s bench and clerk’s desk should be protected on the front and sides that have public exposure with ballistic material, and all light switches should be replaced with key-controlled switches, and breaker boxes should be locked.

The electrical system is old and it is in the need of upgrading. The mechanical system is in good condition.

The county is in need of more office and storage space. We recommend a new 40,000 square foot judicial annex, and a new 5,000 square foot storage building.

Total cost of this project: $9,550,800.

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