The
The foundation of the building is in good condition. The walls contain a few cracks and paint is peeling off of the structure. We recommend cleaning and repairing the cracks in the old courthouse, performing an engineering study of the cracks in the stairwell, and removing the paint from the masonry.
The roof of the courthouse building is sloped and covered with shingles. It was replaced more than ten years ago. We recommend replacing the roof with period-appropriate materials. Some of the windows in the courthouse have been replaced; however, some are still rotting and in poor condition. We recommend replacing the windows with historic sashes. At least one entrance door needs replaced in the building.
To improve fire safety, we recommend enclosing the top of the stairs on either side of the building with fire rated walls and doors. We also recommend that a sprinkler system be installed throughout the building.
The annex
has an elevator, which also allows access to the courthouse. To ensure
This facility should have an entry-level screening using a walk-through metal detector and an x-ray machine. All perimeter doors not being used for entry-level screening should be used for emergency exits only. These doors should also be secured by installing an audible alarm, magnetic contacts, and a crash bar. 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 law master should be provided with a duress alarm. The adult and juvenile probation officers should have duress alarms installed at their desks and at the receptionist’s desk. Duress alarms should be installed beneath the prosecuting attorney’s desk, beneath the receptionist’s desk, and beneath the table in the conference room. 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. Prosecution and defense witnesses should have separate witness rooms and rest rooms to avoid threats and assaults. The judge’s bench and clerk’s desk should be protected on the front and sides that have public exposure with ballistic material. All light switches should be replaced with key-controlled switches, and breaker boxes should be locked. A phone line should be installed to provide the court and the staff with outside communication in case of power failure. Window glass tinting should be applied to eliminate outside view through the windows in the courtroom and jury room. The tint should be dark enough to prevent someone from viewing the occupants during nighttime hours. We recommend removing, trimming, or cutting down any bush, shrubbery, or trees surrounding the courthouse and parking lot which may provide cover to an assailant.
We recommend that the lighting situation in the courthouse halls and annex stairwells be improved with more fixtures. We recommend a central air handling system be installed in the courthouse for aesthetics and energy efficiency.
The jail is still in use. It is on the grounds, but not attached to the courthouse. The county has plans to renovate the building for storage and offices in approximately three years, when the prisoners have been transferred to the regional jail. We recommend that during the renovation, a new roof be installed on the building. The flashing should be replaced and the parapets waterproofed. The fire alarm system should be replaced.
The electrical system should be updated to code during the renovations. Also, a central HVAC system should be installed.
The total cost of the repairs to the courthouse plus renovation of the existing jail is estimated at $2,466,240.