Apr 3, 2013 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County commissioners will “officially” wrap up the five-month courthouse restoration project today when they approve a change order from the architect for all additional labor and materials beyond the original bid work of installing structural steel and a new sprinkler system above Courtroom No. 1.

Commissioner Chuck Morris said during the agenda meeting Wednesday, change orders have been presented to the board during the course of the project and each has been addressed and paid. The total of all the change orders amounted to approximately $46,000. The board’s action today approving change order No. 1 from EADS Archietcts Inc. is just a formality.

Meanwhile, President Judge William Nalitz has moved back into Courtroom No. 1 after holding court several months in the law library on the third floor of the new addition.

The project had involved repairing the timbers between the ceiling and roof of the original section, updating the heating and ventilation system, installing a new sprinkler system and completing some interior and exterior painting.

The main part of the courthouse is 163 years old. The building was constructed in 1850 and opened in September 1851.

It was a problem with some of the timbers used in the original section above the main courtroom’s ceiling that led to the project’s inception.

Early last year, jurors in Nalitz’s courtroom noticed movement in the ceiling directly above the judge’s bench. Maintenance employees investigated and found some of the large wood beams had separated at their joints.

In September, the commissioners awarded a contract to make the repairs to Allegheny Restoration and Builder Inc. of Morgantown, W.Va., in the amount of $394,566.

A contract also was awarded for $96,800 to update the sprinkler system. The old system had leaked several times in the last 10 years, after water in the sprinkler lines froze and broke the pipes or fittings. One major leak in January 2009 caused extensive damage to the courtroom and offices below it.

The old sprinkler system was replaced with a dry-pipe system that fills with water only when heat activates the system.

A third contract also was awarded to make needed updates to the courthouse heating and air conditioning system. Mountain Air Sheet Metal of Cross Lanes, W.Va., was awarded the contract in the amount of $51,800.

Work began in October and proceeded fairly smoothly. The last major project completed at the courthouse was a renovation in 1997. Costing about $4 million, it included razing the old jail and a portion of the old sheriff’s residence to make room for elevators, public restrooms, a second courtroom, judge’s chambers, law library and other offices.

The commissioners are expected to approve contracts with some businesses and musical groups to provide entertainment at this year’s Greene County Fair.

Also on the agenda will be a motion to approve agreements for care and maintenance of veterans’ graves in cemeteries throughout the county. The estimated cost is $9,700.