Executive Summary – Pleasants County Courthouse

Front of Courthouse

Side View of Old Jail/Annex Building

The Pleasants County Courthouse was built in 1926. It is a two-story brick building with a basement. The courthouse is 9,250 square feet. The building is inadequate for the needs of the county. The exterior of the courthouse is in poor condition; the exterior walls have numerous cracks. Recommendations include funding an engineering assessment of the problem and recommended solution.

The roof, while in good condition at the present time, is of the Urethane foam type, meaning constant upkeep and difficulty in replacing when or if it becomes necessary. The doors and windows appear to be in good shape. The windows are aluminum framed and at least twenty years old. The doors are aluminum and are in good condition.

The handicap entrance is through an enclosed lift, which does not meet ADA standards; it is located on the rear of the building. It does not function properly. The lift was constructed on the outside of the building with a ground-level entry that serves all floors. The first-floor access is from the commission hearing room, and the second floor access is from the main circuit courtroom, neither of which are public halls. Handicapped parking is located in the rear of the building. The accessible restrooms are located in the basement. Few of the accessibility requirements are met.

The building has a fire alarm system, but no sprinkler system. The exits in the courtroom, which is located on the second floor, are not correctly spaced. The second floor has two exits – one is a covered fire escape on the rear of the building, accessed through the courtroom; thus, if the courtroom is locked, there exists only one exit from the second floor.

The electrical system is currently being replaced. The HVAC system is a collage of units, ranging from decrepit to new units. If the building is to be maintained the recommendation is the installation of an energy-efficient central system to replace the medley of units currently in use.

The jail was constructed in 1926 and is 1,498 square feet. The jail facility includes an old house and a metal shed. The building is well maintained, but does not reflect the quality needed for modern government and judiciary functions.

The courthouse facilities do not appear large enough to adequately serve the needs of the county. The overall recommendation is the repair of the current courthouse and jail facilities and the construction of a new 30,000 square foot judicial annex in the same location at a cost of approximately $7,806,000.

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