Marshall Democrat-News: Local News: Preservation committee discusses how to spend possible surplus (02/24/10)

It's possible that, when the Saline County Courthouse restoration work is completed in April, there may be some project funds remaining. What to do with that money, potentially about $100,000, was discussed at the Courthouse Preservation Committee meeting Tuesday evening, Feb. 23.

Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner said some of the funds should be used to replace bushes and other landscaping, which were removed for sandstone repairs on the courthouse exterior.

Another use for the extra funds could be renovating the tile on the second floor of the courthouse. Currently there is asbestos tile, which covers the original tile, and preservation committee members hope the original can be restored.

This project was included in a work package at the beginning of the courthouse restoration process, though no contractor was willing to bid on it because the condition of the tile underneath the current flooring is unknown.

Architect Tim Wilson suggested a test portion of the flooring be removed to determine the state of the original tile. This decision was approved by the committee.

Plattner is also in favor of finishing a set of stairs leading to the courthouse's fourth floor. During construction, a temporary staircase has been erected to provide access to the upper levels.

"That whole fourth floor is wide open," she said, noting some of the area could possibly be used for storage.

Wilson said the stair project would be fairly easy to complete, though it is not a historically accurate construction and could face resistance from state historic preservation officials.

At some point in the past, there were stairs inside the probate court rooms that led up to the attic. But, there were never any stairs in the hallway by the elevator.

He said the state funding for the restoration project comes with restrictions on creating new things that appear original.

"It's historic preservation, not historic re-creation," Wilson said.

The committee also approved additional plaster repairs in the treasurer's and collector's offices and the law library.

Imhoff Construction Inc., the current painting and plaster contractor, will do the work.

It is estimated that plaster repairs will cost no more than $7,778 and painting will be $5,860.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net

If there is money left over then do the lights over on the dome. What is up there now is a joke, sick, a farce, and a disgrace.

-- Posted by soupy on Thu, Feb 25, 2010, at 4:53 PM

Has the clock been repaired, correctly? What about the American Flag on the North Side? Will it be turned back on and maintained?

-- Posted by What the f...... on Wed, Feb 24, 2010, at 1:32 PM

Response by Eric Crump/Editor:

Last I heard, there was still an issue to resolve with the clock. The plan early on was to rework the lighted flag, but I haven't heard lately about progress with that, so will check.

Sydney found out, by the way, that there is a plan in the works to include flood lights aimed at the clockface, but details are still being developed.