Executive Summary
The original courthouse was completed in 1923. The current building consists of several additions. The building is two storied, with a basement, and approximately 20,000 square feet, including the jail. The jail will be in use until the completion of the regional jail facility. A proposal exists to renovate or raze the jail once the transfer is complete.
The exterior of the building is in fair-to-good condition. It has brick walls, which have some water-damage and missing mortar. The roof consists of two types, both pitched and low-slope. The pitched roof is covered in asphalt shingles and appears to be in good condition. The low slope sections are covered with a rubber membrane. This part of the roof suffers from ponding and leaks, as well as damaged flashing. Recommendations include removing the current membrane, installing tapered insulation to the roof drains, installing a new membrane and new flashing, at an approximate cost of $32,000.
The windows and doors are in good shape. They are not original, having been replaced at an undetermined date. The windows and doors are both aluminum framed. The windows in the jail are steel framed and it is recommended that they be replaced as part of the renovation of the jail building.
The handicap accessible parking spot does not have signage. An elevator is located in the building, but some areas can only be reached via stairs. The building has a lack of accessibility signage and doors into public areas do not have lever handles. The accessible bathroom is mostly adequate, but needs an upgrade of larger stalls and rear grab bars. These changes could be made at a cost of $20,300.
There are fire alarms, exit lights and emergency backup lights in the building. There is no sprinkler system. There are at least two means of egress from each floor. The stairwells are enclosed with fire rated walls and doors. The exit doors swing in the correct direction. The exit doors to the fire escape route need panic hardware. Recommendations include installing panic hardware on exit doors at a cost of $1,200.
The electrical system is adequate for the building. There is storage around and in front of electric boxes; those items need to be removed.
The building is heated by two natural gas fired boilers. The courtroom has a separate, 1969 model, HVAC system. It appears to be the cause of the mold/mildew problems in the courthouse. Recommendations include insulating any uninsulated lines in the mechanical rooms, and repairing/replacing the HVAC system for the courtroom at an approximate cost of $51,000.
Security is an issue. Recommendations include: 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. 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 law master’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. The door leading into the judge’s chamber should be made of solid wood and have an entry-control package, with the monitor at the secretary’s desk.
Work safety issues include the mold and mildew problems and the water leakage problem. It is recommended that the roof be repaired, the HVAC in the courtroom replaced, and having a mold infestation professional test and remove the mold and mildew.
The family law master, home confinement officer, and the assessor are all located in separate leased spaces and there are plans to add a second circuit court courtroom. Space is badly needed, especially for record storage. Officials have resorted to sorting out only records that they feel are imperative to keep and have stacked those records in cabinets on top of each other because they have “no where else to go but up.” Recommendations include building a new 20,000 square foot annex building and renovating the jail for storage, at a cost of approximately $4,836,000.