Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: Saline County Courthouse Renovation: Scaffolding delay continues, other work proceeding well (06/24/09)

Although the scaffold has still not been built for restoration work on the Saline County Courthouse -- it is about two months behind schedule but might be installed next week -- other aspects of the renovation are proceeding nicely.

At a meeting Tuesday evening, June 23, Saline County Commissioners and Courthouse Preservation Committee members heard updates on courthouse renovation work from project manager Jeff Harrelson.

"The masonry restoration's coming along pretty good," he said. On the east half of the courthouse, initial cleaning, tuckpointing, brick replacement and stone patching have been completed.

Carpentry repairs in the upper floors of the courthouse are also making good progress, Harrelson said. The supporting beams are being "sistered," or reinforced.

Harrelson said that he and Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner examined the project budget and "plugged in all previous expenditures by the county," which reduced the contingency allotment -- money set aside "just in case" -- to $205,235.04.

The preservation committee approved four action items in the meeting, which were then officially confirmed by county commissioners at their meeting Wednesday morning, June 24.

After receiving two bids for the coating that will be applied to seal the sandstone on the courthouse, the committee opted to use painting contractor Imhoff Construction Inc. at a cost of $27,076, including primer. The other bid was from Mid-Continental Restoration for $38,767.

Upgrades to the courthouse fire alarm were also approved. Originally, a manual alarm, one that relies on people to activate it, was going to be installed. But, because the courthouse is empty approximately three-quarters of the time, an automatic fire alarm will better serve to preserve the building.

To add the automatic alarm, 39 more smoke detectors will be installed for $16,588.75. And, an air handler shutdown, which would prevent smoky air from being spread through the ductwork, will be added for $5,471.25.

The preservation committee also accepted a credit of $2,010 from Imhoff Construction Inc. The company was originally slated to refinish the hand railing in the courthouse rotunda, but national preservation authorities found the work to be unnecessary, so it has been cancelled.

Architect Tim Wilson presented an alternate plan for the first floor restroom renovations at the meeting. His plan would add an extra toilet in both the men's and women's bathrooms.

It has also been proposed to use stainless steel partitions for the stalls instead of the current enamel ones. This change could cost $2,121.45, though that figure does not include the additional stalls in Wilson's new plan.

The preservation committee agreed to pursue the new options for the restroom renovations, which will be presented again with cost estimates at a later date.

The Courthouse Preservation Committee will meet again Tuesday, July 28, at 6 p.m. in the prosecuting attorney's office.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net