Greene Courthouse bell tower, Fort Jackson building to get repairs
Greene County Courthouse in Waynesburg.
Observer-Reporter
Fort Jackson Hotel office building in Waynesburg
WAYNESBURG – An engineer will inspect the Greene County Courthouse bell tower and an exterior wall at the Fort Jackson Hotel office building after work crews recently found minor structural issues with both county buildings.
Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall told the county commissioners Thursday that wood at the bottom of the courthouse’s bell tower is rotted after water penetrated a portion of the square base above the roof.
He suspects the damage happened before the courthouse restoration work that occurred between late 2012 and early 2013.
“The wood is rotted,” Marshall said. “Who knows how long ago.”
The commissioners agreed to spend $4,950 to hire Jesse L. Fiske Sr. LLC to examine the bell tower to determine what work must be done to replace the wood. Marshall said it “hopefully” wouldn’t cost much to replace the wood in that area.
Marshall also told the commissioners that workers noticed “some bowing” in a rear exterior wall of the Fort Jackson Hotel office building that faces Cherry Alley. He said the veneer appears to be pulling away.
Jesse L. Fiske Sr. LLC will also investigate the issues at the Fort Jackson for $9,900. Marshall said they may have to remove the brick and replace it with a different material to brace the wall.
“We’re hoping it’s nothing more than cosmetic,” Marshall said.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners agreed to pay $20,500 to EADS Architects for two projects that the county hopes to have completed by August. The first project includes adding a handicap accessible bathroom to Building #8 at the fairgrounds, while the other would add a rear door to the magisterial office of District Judge Glenn Bates at the Greene County Airport.
The commissioners also agreed to pay $154,489 to Widmer Engineering for the design and construction inspection for County Bridge #8 in Perry Township.