Groups collaborate to begin Logan County Courthouse restoration work

 

[September 08, 2020] 

At the Logan County Board’s Building and Grounds Committee meeting, Committee Chairman David Blankenship shared updates on restoration plans.

The Construction Technical Committee made up of Bill Walter of Masonry Restoration Technologies & Services (MRTS,) Blankenship and a few others with experience with large projects met recently to discuss plans and design options.

Blankenship said this committee has been reviewing the Basis of Design (BOD) document created by CTS, the energy company that is the construction and project manager.

The BOD is the foundation of the major design decisions being made to meet the project requirements as determined by the Logan County Board.

The Construction Technical Committee will further review the document and make recommendations. Blankenship said the board will have the final approval on the design options.

One advantage the BOD provides is to help keep the project within budget. However, if plans are over budget, Blankenship said the county board will have the opportunity to decide what to “scratch” from the list.

Blankenship hopes to bring the Construction Technical Committee’s recommendations to the board soon. At that time, the board can review the recommendations and make amendments if needed.

A mechanical engineer has been working on some of the drawings for the basis of design and has presented them to Blankenship. He said things are progressing nicely.

The basis of design being worked on covers everything from the dome to lighting to HVAC to flooring. Blankenship said a lot of headway has been made on the plans.

The committee will meet again Wednesday, September 9.

Other restoration updates

Bill Walter of Masonry Restoration Technologies & Services; and CTS, an Energy Services Innovator have also been discussing plans.

Walter said the following items are in process:

CTS forwarded their Performance Contract Terms and Conditions to MRTS and the county for legal review/approval.

If approved as Performance Contractor, CTS will be working with energy items such as HVAC, associated electric, LED lighting, windows and building automation systems. These services will be needed to help secure additional grants and incentives.

At the July board meeting, CTS was approved by the board to also act as Construction Management for the Courthouse Restoration Project.

The Construction Management services will be bid out and will include site improvements, building construction, external building restoration, interior renovations and plumbing and electrical work.

Meeting participants discussed in detail the HVAC methods that are available. Building and Grounds Committee Chairman David Blankenship, who is the county’s contact point, was involved in the technical portion of the discussion. Participants arrived at an outline on how to design the system for MRTS/CTS to proceed with the development of the scope of work and specifications.
 

The construction team and Logan County Board Administrative Assistant Brenda Clark have been discussing the layout of the courthouse and the current use of each space. That is one of the important steps in working towards the proposed redesign and repurposing of some of the spaces.

Friday, August 21, Walter emailed available preliminary design specifications/information to CTS on following scopes:

a. Exterior Dome
b. Courthouse Floor Systems
c. Entrance Security
d. Restoration of interior wood doors and trim
e. Historic Stained Glass
f. Restoration and reinstallation of Stained-Glass panels
g. Exterior Sandstone Facade

MRTS and CTS have sent the Basis of Design to the Construction Technical Committee. Walter said their intent is to solicit approval on or before the next virtual committee meeting tentatively scheduled the week of September 8.

MRTS and CTS plan to work on the scope, development and budget pricing. By early November, Walter said they hope to review the scope of the work and the budget with Logan County Board. The scope and budget will go before the board for a vote at their November meeting.

Elevator repair update

The Thyssenkrupp Elevator Company recently completed the needed repairs to the elevator. The company did a load test and Blankenship said the elevator passed it.

When the inspector comes, Blankenship said Thyssenkrupp will be there to do a load test for the inspector.

Once the elevator passes inspection, a certificate of operation will be issued and posted inside or outside the elevator. Blankenship said they are hoping to get the inspection completed soon.

[Angela Reiners]