Huge price tag for repairing courthouse steps

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August 15, 2012

Huge price tag for repairing courthouse steps

By BRAD KELLAR Herald-Banner Staff The Herald-Banner Wed Aug 15, 2012, 09:47 AM CDT

GREENVILLE — Repairing the aging steps of the Hunt County Courthouse could cost $500,000, and maybe even more if the county seeks grant funding to help pay for the work.

“It’s actually a lot cheaper than I thought it would be,” said Maintenance Director Jimmy Moore, as he spoke Tuesday to the Hunt County Commissioners Court. “They need to be fixed if we stay in that building, and I’m sure we are going to.”

The commissioners had been scheduled to consider approving a plan to fix the north (Lee Street) and south (Washington Street) steps, which have been the subject of discussion by the commissioners on several occasions earlier this year.

But the agenda item to hire WE BUILD, a Harrison, Walker and Harper company, was put on hold Tuesday after Moore delivered the results of the latest engineering study of the problem.

Earlier this year, the commissioners approved funds to install braces for the purpose of temporarily shoring up the bottom side of the steps on the south side of the courthouse.

Moore said the additional studies have shown the rebar and the concrete supports inside the steps themselves have also eroded.

“Our steel braces have deteriorated due to water leaking through,” Moore said.

The steps on both sides are crumbling, Moore said, but the problem is worse on the south side.

“The longer we go, the more brittle we get,” he said.

Moore said rough estimates revealed the work to repair and/or replace the steps could cost approximately $500,000. As the courthouse is listed as a historical landmark, Moore said the repairs would have to be performed in order to match the existing nature of the steps, including using the same type of material in the construction.

The commissioners asked whether the Texas Historical Commission would be able to provide a grant to help cover the expenses.

Purchasing Agent Dianne Terry explained that in order to qualify, the county would have to draft a master plan for the project.

“We would have to hire an architect or master engineer,” Terry said, adding that cost could be up to $150,000. “But that doesn’t guarantee we’ll get the grant funds.”

Even if the county applied right away, Terry said, the earliest the funds would be distributed would be in the fall of 2013.

Commissioner Kenneth Thornton moved to put the item under old business, in order to consider putting the project out for bid as soon as possible.

“It’s something that’s becoming more dangerous as we speak,” Thornton said.

Since October 2006, only one entrance or exit is available to the public at the courthouse, on the ground floor doors on the north side. The second floor doors on the north and south sides of the courthouse were closed for security reasons and are designated for emergency access only.