|
Component |
Current Status |
Recommendations |
Cost |
|
General Exterior |
The original construction of the courthouse was done in the 1890’s. Additions were added in the early 1900’s. The building is on the historic register. It is approximately 8,800SF. Extensive renovations are planned and underway; for example, the old jail, located on the third floor of the building, was deconstructed and construction is underway to turn that area into a new courtroom. A new electrical system, partially finished throughout the entire building, is being installed along with a new elevator, which will be complete by the end of October. The commission also stated that it had plans to level the first floor and take out superfluous one and two step stairs scattered around the ground floor. These renovations are started and stopped as the monies for their construction is available and consumed. The commission stated that finding funding to continue their projects was of major importance (P27, P28, P31, P32). |
The building is currently undergoing major renovations, including a new 3rd floor courtroom, a new elevator, and a new electrical system. |
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Exterior Walls |
The building is three stories, with a basement, and an un-used attic (P30). The foundation is stone with minimal evidence of settlement (P21). The exterior walls are cut stone. The mortar is in good condition. The stone has few cracks, not many of which are noticeable. The building was sandblasted within the past three years and is relatively clean. There is some damage at the entry stairs. |
Repair the exterior steps |
$2,500 |
|
Roof |
The roof was repaired around 1993. The roof is pitched, asphalt-shingled and in good condition. |
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Windows and Doors |
Windows are varied and include wooden, aluminum, and steel frames. Some of the wooden framed windows are rotten. The wooden and steel framed windows are single pane, while the aluminum windows are double paned (P16, P32). The doors are aluminum with glass windows. They are in good shape. The doors have dead bolt locks, panic hardware, and weather stripping. |
Replace all the windows with historic replacement sashes |
$64,000 |
|
Fire Safety |
There is a fire alarm system throughout the building. There is no sprinkler system. The exit lights are in good working order and there exists panic hardware on all exit doors. The doors do swing in the direction of the exits. The only room which serves 50 or more people, the courtroom, does contain two exits (P23, P25). There are battery operated emergency lights throughout the building in good condition. There are two exits from each floor of the building, but the stairs are not encased in fire doors or walls. The stairs have storage underneath. The fire alarm system is slowly being upgraded as the new electrical system goes in, so some alarms do have strobes, but not all. Plans include all alarms eventually being replaced. |
Install a fire rated wall and fire rated doors at the landing on the second, third floor and the basement. Install alarms W/ strobes |
$7500 $1600 |
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There is one handicap accessible parking space. It is painted, but lacks a sign warning of the $100 fine for illegal parking. There is a handicap accessible ramp located near the spot. The ramp has handrails and accesses the ground floor of the courthouse. The first floor contains one partially handicap accessible unisex bathroom (P33, P35). There is only one grab bar in the stall. The stall does not have adequate turning radius. The sink has clearance underneath; however, the hot water line and drain pipe are not insulated. The sink does have lever operated handles, but the entrance door does not. There is no fire alarm in the bathroom. There is signage located in the corridors. Once the elevator is finished and all floors are accessible (P9, P26), signage will be placed where necessary. The renovations on the ground floor will make the entire first floor accessible. |
Paint and signage for the accessible parking spaces Upgrade the accessible toilets Install Install lever handles on all doors |
$250 $20,000 $600 $11,250 |
Structure
|
The sidewalks and stairs surrounding the building do show evidence of water damage as they are broken and cracked (P37, P38, P39). The retaining wall at the edge of the parking lot shows signs of efflorescence and water damage. |
Repair the stairs, sidewalk and retaining wall. |
$ 25,000 |
|
Security |
There is a security system, and a closed circuit TV system. The judge’s bench is protected by bullet proofing material and has a panic button. There is a generally unused metal detector by the entrance to the courtroom. |
This facility should have an entry-level screening using the existing walk-through metal detector (P19) 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. All light switches should be replaced with key-controlled switches, and breaker boxes should be locked. |
$35,000 $4,000 $300 |
|
Electrical |
The current electric system is barely adequate. The addition of computers and networks has placed a strain on the very old system. A new system is being installed, which will allow more power to be distributed through the building (P1, P5, P7, P10, P13). The new system will have two distribution boxes on each floor, one at either end of the building. |
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Mechanical |
The building is heated
by a coal-fired boiler, a H.B. Smith 451 Mills auger-fed unit (P2, P3). The stoke coal needed by the boiler is
becoming scarce. Currently, only one
operation nearby has this coal, and at one point the courthouse had to haul
coal from |
We recommend a centralized HVAC system be installed to eliminate the need for expensive coal and the demand on the electrical system as well as for air-conditioning the entire building. |
$176,000 |
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Work Safety |
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Space requirements |
Additional space for storage |
Storage for records 5000sf |
$270,000 |
|
Subtotal |
|
|
$618,000 |
|
Soft Costs |
Professional fees, permits, surveys, and studies |
20% of total |
$123,600 |
|
Total Cost |
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|
$741,600 |