Courthouse needs were the topic at a Building Committee meeting last week. John Pippenger, Mark Bishop and County Executive Mike Stinnett were on hand to meet with Matt Culver, representing architect J. Mark Rodgers. Rodgers had volunteered to develop needed specifications for repairs.

The immediate need is a new roof, Stinnett said, adding he hoped to apply for grant money to help with the cost of wiring, plumbing and other inside needs. He said an estimate received last year put the cost at around $75,000, but the architect has not developed a cost estimate.

Rodgers reported in a letter that some of the decking on the roof will need to be replaced because it is deteriorating, and the pre-cast copings have failed, which is allowing moisture to get into the walls behind the exterior façade, as well as other problems he noted. Rodgers added, “I suspect that solving the roof problem will only be the first step in a long process of solving moisture problems at the Courthouse.” He said the longer the issues remain unresolved, the more expensive the solution. “I would like to see the courthouse remain in its historic condition,” he said, adding the moisture problems need to be solved soon or the building will financially reach a point of no return.

Culver explained that a metal coping with a rubber membrane underneath could be placed along the top walls to replace the existing coping and keep water from getting behind the walls after the roof is replaced.

Pippenger asked about a metal roof, saying it would last longer than a rubber roof. Stinnett said the exterior look has to remain the same if the Courthouse is to keep its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. That listing, he said, makes it eligible for some grant money for repairs. He said a structural analysis is being done, which is required for the grants. He said the grants do require a match, possibly 50%, but added it will help with the costs of windows and some of the interior work. He said the applications are not due until fall so it would probably be the next budget year before the county will need funds for the interior work.

Bishop said he thought a metal roof could be put on without changing the look of the Courthouse from the ground. He said they need to look at both ways to compare costs. Pippenger said the commission has also considered the option of a metal building to replace the Courthouse. Bishop said he wants to see the repair costs. Culver said they would work up the specifications for roof repairs, including a metal roof option.