LJWorld.com / County ponders skylight repairs

Archive for Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Courthouse work may be $145,000

April 15, 2008

Courthouse repairs could cost $145,000

Fixing a leaky skylight and water damage in the 105-year-old Douglas County Courthouse could get expensive. Enlarge video

Expensive options await the Douglas County Commission for repairing a leaky skylight and water damage caused to a beam and trusses in the 105-year-old courthouse.

“If this was my house and I lived here, I’d take out that skylight,” Commissioner Jere McElhaney said during Monday’s commission meeting.

That probably isn’t possible because the courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places. County documents show the skylight is an original feature of the building. Laws governing historic sites appear to prevent skylight replacement in this case, County Administrator Craig Weinaug said.

The cost for the repairs, including design and engineering, could be at least $145,000.

County leaders expect to meet with state historical representatives as early as today to discuss the skylight issue.

An inspection last month led to the discovery of the water damage in the attic. County leaders say there is no imminent danger of the roof collapsing but that repairs need to be made soon.

Bill Bell, county building and grounds director, said he wasn’t convinced the skylight was an original feature of the building. He said he has the original architectural drawings and will examine them.

In other business, commissioners expressed reluctance to continue funding the judge pro-tem position in district court. Peggy Kittel, who had held the position since it was formed eight years ago, was appointed by the governor to the district judge seat previously held by Kansas Attorney General Stephen Six.

District judge positions are funded by the state, but the Legislature has not appropriated funds for another Douglas County judicial position.

Administrative Judge Robert Fairchild said the pro-tem position is needed, noting that there were 6,000 hearings assigned to it last year.

Commissioners directed Fairchild to prepare a letter justifying the position.

Discussion

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15 April 2008 at 10:32 a.m.

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jazzttt (Anonymous) says…

Maybe I don't have the concept down, but is this the same skylight that lets light in from above, thru the large stained glass? If that's the case, then install some kind of a roof cap replacing the outside skylight to seal out rain and preserve the integrity of the building, and install an indirect lighting system, daylight-balanced, to illuminate the stained glass from above, and everything will look fine, it can even be lit up at night if desired. I can't imagine the National Register is that picky about modifications that will help preserve the building while maintaining the original appearance, if they are done carefully.
15 April 2008 at 8:53 p.m.

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hawkperchedatriverfront (Anonymous) says…

The $145,000 seems a bit too much. Why is a another study needed to determine how to fix it. Come on bill bell,,,you should know how, if not we need to replace you.

The county commissioners should go ahead and fix it, given that $145,000 is usually wasted in one sitting. After all, the buildiings at the fairgrounds have been let to run down, so why not fix something. If the money isn't available, then the county employees can have a bake sale to raise money. I am like jazzttt. the stained glass must have some kind of skylight above it. The historic people don't really care and after all, the most complaints come from out local “so called historians and preservationists” who are for the most part opportunists in legislature garb.
15 April 2008 at 9:13 p.m.

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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…

Skylights are like condoms.
A great idea, well intentioned, but one you don't want to live with when the clouds are ready to burst.
16 April 2008 at 12:47 a.m.

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armyguy (Anonymous) says…

When the skylights in my house were leaking the repair was less than $10.00 although I am not sure how much those tubes of caulk cost. 145k should buy a lot of caulk and a solid gold caulk gun and pay the caulker about 100K.
16 April 2008 at 1:02 a.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Can't do the cover thing as the Horestoric Register rules would consider that a modification to the builiding.

I remember a few years ago when someone Downtown was re-doing the front of the building, working on the brickwork and the Register in the from of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, insisted that the “correct” cement be used, even though modern cement would have not only worked as well but better and lasted longer.

Beaureaucracy run wild.