|
Component |
Current Status |
Recommendations |
Cost |
|
General Exterior |
The courthouse was built in 1894, (P1), with additions in 1973. The Courthouse is on the National Historic Register (P2). It is a two-story brick building with a daylight basement, about 43,120 SF (P3, P4, P8, P9) |
The over all condition of the exterior of the courthouse is good. |
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|
Exterior Walls |
The exterior walls of the courthouse are in good condition with minimal cracking on the old foundation. It looks like it has been repaired and there is no sign of further movement, (P11). There is some moss/mold on the surface of the stone (P10). The Ivy growing on the building is pretty but it can damage the wall (P14). |
Clean the stone foundation Remove the Ivy for exterior walls |
$10,000 $200 |
|
Roof |
The 1999 interim study indicates that the courthouse is in need of a new roof. At the time of the visit it looks as if the roof had been already replaced. |
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Windows and Doors |
The windows are wood with single glazing in good condition (P14). |
The windows are still in good shape but double pane glass will increase the energy efficiency of the building. We recommend installing historic replacement sashes as the original windows deteriorate. |
$300,000 |
|
|
There is ample handicap parking available next to the
courthouse. The spaces are well labeled.
A sidewalk leads to handicap entrance is located at the right-side
entrance of the building, (P15). The door has a power opener and a lever
handle but the remainder doors of the building do not have lever handles.
There is no A wheelchair lift has to be used to access any floor of
the building including the first (P22,
P24). The
accessible restrooms are on the first floor, (P23). The first floor restrooms are large enough
to comply with |
Install fire alarms with strobe lights in restrooms. Install signage throughout the building Install lever handles throughout the building Install an elevator to access all floors Remove the wheelchair lifts. They restrict the fire exit path. Renovate the bathrooms to meet the |
$400 $1,500 $11,250 $80,000 $5,000 $20,000 |
|
Fire Safety |
The fire alarm system is manual with no smoke detectors, or strobes. There is no sprinkler system except in the storage and furnace rooms. One stairwell is enclosed by fire rated walls and doors but it opens to a witness room on the second floor level (P22). The second exit stair is a grand wooden stair in the old building open to both floors. |
Install a new automatic fire alarm system with horns and strobes. Change door in enclosed stairway to enter from the hall and close off the door leading to the witness room. Install a firewall and fire door at the top of the old staircase. Install a sprinkler system throughout the building |
$5,000 $1,500 $2,500 $180,000 |
Structure
|
The structure appears to be in good shape, only some minor cracking was noticed on the exterior stone as noted above. |
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|
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Security |
There is no security system. A closed-circuit television system is needed in the courtrooms and in the circuit clerks office (records have been stolen.). No metal detectors are present at the entrance doors to the building, and no security guards are posted. The judge’s bench is not protected by ballistic material or equipped with a duress button. |
The facility should have an entry-level screening using a walk-through metal detector and an x-ray machine. All perimeter exit doors should be secured by installing an audible alarm, magnetic contacts, and a crash bar. The door leading into the judge’s chamber should be made of solid wood and have an entry-control package. Duress alarms should be installed beneath the judge’s desk, secretary’s desk, judge’s bench in the courtroom and the table in his hearing room, clerk’s desk, prosecuting attorney’s deck, and his secretary’s desk. Duress alarm should also be installed beneath the Family Court Judge’s desk and the secretary’s desk. The judge’s bench and clerk’s desk should be protected on the front and sides that have public exposure with ballistic material. A closed circuit TV system should be installed throughout the building. Security Console |
$40,000 $4,000 $1,500 $7,200 $3,000 $9,000 $40,000 |
|
Electrical |
Presently, the main building has a 1200 amp, 3 phase, 208/120 volt service. The present system, while old, appears to have adequate capacity to serve the building. Some clean-up, renovation and circuit identification work would be very helpful in keeping the electrical system in good working condition. Some of the breaker boxes are in poor condition. Circuit breaker boxes have material stored around them. This is a fire hazard and the materials should be moved to a different location to allow open access to the boxes. |
We recommend that the panel boxes not up to code, as noted, be upgraded. |
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Mechanical |
The Courthouse is heated with a coal-fired boiler that has been converted to oil (P44). The boiler is in poor condition and is no longer serviceable. There is one A/C unit in the ceiling of the new annex building (P54, P55). It is 27 years old and is beyond its service life. |
We recommend that all the HVAC systems be redesigned and replaced as soon as possible. |
$900,000 |
|
Work Safety |
As mentioned above, the boiler is leaking which is a fire hazard. There is an excessive amount of storage in the wooden attic (P36). The building has been flooded in the past but there are no signs of mold or other water damage. |
See space requirements |
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|
Space Requirements |
The county is currently renting a space for the family court and the magistrates are located in the basement that periodically floods. Space is needed to relocate and expand the court system. Storage space is also required. |
We recommend adding an Annex building and connecting it to the main courthouse. 20000 SF Storage 5000 SF |
. $3,000,000 $300,000 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
$4,922,050 |
|
Soft Costs |
Professional fees, permits, surveys, and studies |
20% |
$984,410 |
|
Total |
|
|
$5,906,460 |