Courthouse remodeling proceeds; asbestos, lead paint found
By Andrea McCann, staff writer
The Greene County Building Corporation approved change orders
totaling $13,000 and saving $18,000 at its regular meeting Wednesday
morning.
Jim Corey, project manager for the courthouse addition and remodeling,
said the various and sundry minor changes were necessary to complete
the courthouse. A lot of them, he said, pertained to changes needed to
the elevators to bring them into compliance with the state.
“We got everybody moved over (to the new part), and we're proceeding
with the remodel on the second and third floors (of the old part),”
Corey said. “It's going pretty good.”
He said the contractor gave the county time to remove items from the
old building that are related to the county's history. Corey said
courthouse maintenance supervisor Gene Spinks played a large part in
that.
“Gene has gone out of his way to save anything with historical significance,” Corey said.
He went on to explain that the remodeling project will be set back
about one to two weeks because asbestos and lead paint were found on
the second floor. The project manager said the lead paint probably will
be covered up with stud walls and drywall, but the asbestos will have
to be removed.
“The HazMat people will have to come in,” he said. “They'll seal off
the area, remove the asbestos and carry it out in plastic bags.”
The tiny fibers of the old fireproofing/insulating material are easily
inhaled and cause several health problems. Corey said the asbestos was
found in the ceiling of the second-floor courtroom - the former Circuit
Court.
“The third floor came out clean,” he said. “You never know with these old buildings.”
Removal of the asbestos they did find will add extra costs to the
project, he added, but it won't be a significant amount in the grand
scheme.
“The contract states that it's the obligation of the owner to abate,” he explained.
Most of the exterior work won't be done until the heavy equipment can
be moved out away from the building, according to Corey. However, there
is one project currently under way outdoors.
The gun on the southeast corner of the courthouse square will be moved
to the northeast corner, Corey said. It will face north and slightly
west. Another gun currently sits on the same section of lawn a few
yards to its west. That gun faces north and slightly east. A base is
being centered between the two, on which the courthouse bell will be
placed.
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