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Component |
Current Status |
Recommendations |
Cost |
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General Exterior |
The original construction of the courthouse began in 1898 and was completed in 1900 (P33). The building was declared a historical landmark in 1984. (See pics P36, P44, P45, P46, P51). The building is three stories, the third story being converted from the courtroom balcony, with a basement, an attic, and a clock tower. The total square footage is approximately 16, 200.
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This is a beautiful and historically significant building but it is difficult and expensive to adapt it to modern standards. The iron stairways are impressive but do not comply with the life safety codes. The entrances to the building all require the public to traverse stairs in violation of accessibility laws. The most cost effective approach would be to abandon the building and build a new courts building somewhere else, but its historical value makes it worth preserving. We recommend that this courthouse be restored and adapted to modern standards as much as possible while retaining the historic value. |
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Exterior Walls |
The foundation of the courthouse is stone (P35, P37). There is evidence of settling with several stair step cracks in the building (P43). The exterior walls of the building are brick and stone. There is evidence of water damage, and there are some deteriorated bricks and mortar joints (P48, P49, P50). The brick has been painted (possibly to help prevent further water damage) the paint is now pealing and flaking off. |
Repair the cracks in the exterior walls, repoint the mortar, and repaint the entire building. (It is very difficult to remove paint from brick and restore the original finish.) |
$125,000 |
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Roof |
The roof of the courthouse is pitched with asphalt shingles (P108). It was replaced in about 1994. There appears to be some missing shingles, when the pictures were taken it was raining and these are difficult to see. It is believed that the missing shingles were caused by high winds. There have been no documented leaks since the roof was replaced according to Dave Kyle, the maintenance man. |
The roof is eight years old asphalt shingles which is probably not the roofing material originally on the building. We recommend replacing the roof with a material that is similar to the original roofing material (slate?) and restore the ornamental work on the clock tower. |
$64,000 |
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Windows and Doors |
The courthouse windows were all replaced in March 2000 with double-glazed aluminum windows (P54). They are all in good condition. The doors are aluminum/glass generally in good shape although some of the weather stripping should be replaced. |
The doors are typical aluminum store front used in commercial buildings and windows have been replaced with standard vinyl “replacement” windows. These improvements are not in keeping with the quality of the rest of the building and detract from the historic value of the courthouse. Even though the doors and windows are relatively new we recommend replacing them with historic reproductions of the originals. |
$45,600 |
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Fire Safety |
The courthouse has no fire alarm or sprinkler system. There are exit lights and battery operated emergency lights (P23, P26, P27). There is only one means of egress from the 3rd floor attic and floors. There is storage under some of the stairwells. There are no exit or emergency lights in the stairway from the 2nd floor up to the loft or down to the basement. The open iron stairs do not provide enough protection for exiting the building in case of a fire (P85, P86, P101, P114). By code they should be enclosed with a 1 hour rated partition and a fire door. The pickets on the handrails are too far apart and could allow a small child to fall through. The paneling on the interior of the courthouse does not meet class “A” fire rating and must be removed (P23, P24, P31). |
New pickets will have to be installed in between the existing pickets to bring the stairs into compliance with current life safety codes. Instead of enclosing both sets of stairs, we recommend enclosing the top of both stairs with a fire door and installing sprinkler system throughout the entire building. The sprinkler pipes and heads can be thoughtfully concealed within the historic context. Sprinklers will go a long way towards making the building safer. The Fire Marshal will still have to approve of any proposed renovation. Install a new fire alarm system. Remove interior paneling, patch and paint walls. |
$1,400 Stair enclosure $5,000 Sprinkler System $50,000 $5,000 $10,000 |
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ADA |
The accessible parking space is located on the street and the curb cut is located up the street |
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Structure
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There is noticeable structural damage to the courthouse including the cracks in the exterior wall. Major cracking in the plaster is apparent on the interior of the courthouse (P39, P40, P95). The concrete floor of the basement is cracking probably due to settlement. The courtroom floor is sagging and needs reinforcement. There is a doorway hole cut in a load-bearing wall that appears not to be adequately supported. The interior shows evidence of water damage from leakage (P47, P114, P115).
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Have a structural/geotechnical engineer evaluate the condition of the structure. If the structure is sound and there is no longer any movement, then repoint the brick and patch the plaster. Reinforce the Courtroom floor |
Study $2,000 Patch brick and Plaster See above $1,200 |
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Security |
The courthouse has no security system, no metal detectors at the building or courtroom entrances, and no closed circuit TV system. There is no bullet proofing material around the judges’ benches although the judge has a panic button (P80), it does not work. |
There are no security measures in place at the courthouse. We recommend the measures indicated in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals security Report be carried out. There are no security measures in place at the courthouse. We recommend the measures indicated in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals security Report be carried out. A one entrance door with a check point with metal detector and x-ray screening. All other doors should be secured with alarmed panic hardware from entrance and only used in an emergency. Duress alarms should be installed in the Judges desk, secretary’s desk, judge’s bench, the clerk’s desk, prosecuting attorney’s desk and secretary’s desk. Protect the judge’s bench with ballistic material. Entry Control system and closed-circuit television system Security alarm system with magnetic contacts Security Console |
$40,000 $4,000 $1,200 $1,500 $15,000 $12,000 $40,000 |
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Electrical |
The main electrical entrance comes from overhead into the basement. It feeds into a GE electric meter. The service panels are 120/240 V. It services 5 panels, two of which are in excellent condition, three of which have no labeling. The interior lighting is fluorescent throughout the halls, offices and courtrooms. The restrooms have some incandescent lights that are exposed. The lights dim occasionally with excessive loading. The breakers blow occasionally, and they are loaded to their maximum capacity. There are not enough receptacles in the building. The kitchen needs to have a GFCI. The communications system appears to be adequate, but the wires are unsightly throughout the building. |
We recommend the courthouse electrical service be upgraded to meet the current demands. Electrical service upgrade and additional distribution for increasing general loads equipment. |
$60,000 |
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Mechanical |
The courthouse has an American Standards model G-107 natural gas fired boiler. The system is in excellent condition. It has one air conditioning compressor unit for the second floor courtroom. There are 11 window AC units throughout the building of all different types. |
We recommend installation of a central air conditioning system to improve efficiency. New central air conditioning system for the courthouse. |
$250,000 |
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Work Safety |
An asbestos abatement program was completed in 1999 for both the courthouse and the old jail/sheriff’s residence. |
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Space requirements |
The Courthouse has flooded three times since 1985. This disrupts the functions of those offices located in the basement and sometimes the first floor. The county is also renting space (3608sf) across the street (341 2nd street) in the city hall for magistrate court. Additional storage space is needed. |
We recommend demolishing the existing jail and building a new annex building attached to the existing courthouse. The new annex should include a new accessible entrance, elevator, and accessible toilets. Attached annex 10,000 SF |
$1,500,000 |
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Subtotal |
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$2,232,900 |
|
Soft Costs |
Professional fees, permits, surveys and studies |
20% |
446,580 |
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Total |
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$2,679,480 |
