Facelift nearly finished
Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/35758/
Most repairs to the Washington County Courthouse facade could be completed by the end of next week.
Workers from Texas discovered the flawed masonry after being hired to check for mortar breaks and reseal the facade to prevent water from seeping into the structure, which county officials now suspect led to the damage in the first place.
In October, questions arose about the building’s construction and whether it deviated from the architect’s designs, but the deterioration now is believed to be less severe, with the worst of the problem being on the northwest corner. "Apparently we’re in pretty good shape as far as how the building was built, but because water had gotten in behind the northwest wall, more damage was done there," county Judge Jerry Hunton said. "I don’t know if this building was ever cleaned or sealed before. That’s probably one of the reasons we found damage, but now we have done this and will continue to take of the place.
The five-story courthouse, which opened as FirstSouth Centre, was built in 1986 by Crafton, Tull, Spann and Yoe Architects and Engineers and Kan-Ark Industries.
Discussion have taken place in the past two months among representatives from the county; Crafton, Tull and Associates; and Walker Masonry — which also helped with the structure — to study the problem.
Some of the bricks used were imperfect and failed over time, and the northwest wall shifted slightly, Hunton said. Hunton also said the courthouse was built over a fault line.
Work currently being done includes the recaulking and remortaring of failing joints, in addition to sealing the building to repel precipitation and retard deterioration.
Larry Walker with Walker Masonry then will assume the task of restoring the northwest corner.
The price for that part of the restoration will be figured on an at-cost basis. Hunton was unsure exactly how much the county would eventually spend.
" We don’t have the bill yet, but we’re going to have spent several dollars, "he said." It’s kind of like repainting a house. If you’re going to have it done, you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars. If you’re going to fix this building, you’re going to end up spending a few thousand dollars. "
As the county first contemplated repairing the current courthouse, fears arose that it might have to suspend aid to renovate the Historic Washington County Courthouse.
Overcrowding and deterioration led to the county making an offer in the summer of 1989 on the First-South Centre, a federal savings and loan building occupied by a computer store, radio station and oil company.
County offices and departments relocated into the building through the next five years, and officials dedicated it as the courthouse June 13, 1994.
Now occupying the historic courthouse is Judge Mary Ann Gunn’s Fourth Division Circuit Court, an office for U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, archives and Social Security hearings, but the structure still requires work.
New wiring and heating and air conditioning systems are being sought for the century-old landmark, and the Washington County Quorum Court has set aside $250,000 in the past two years toward renovating the old courthouse.
But the short-term priority is ensuring the integrity of the newer structure.
" We want to solve the moisture problem and repair damaged bricks out there, and then this building will be in a better condition as we maintain it, " Hunton said.