PARKERSBURG - Work on the new Wood County Justice Center could be completed before the end of the year, the project architect told county commissioners Monday as the commission considered a number of issues in regard to the facility.
Project architect Adam Krason, with ZMM Architects/Engineers, appeared before the Wood County Commission to give an update on work to the new Wood County Justice Center as well as contract modifications approved by the commission and present a few proposals from the contractors to determine if the commission wants to move forward on processing them.
Work on the former Hintgen building is expected to be completed in November on the newly renovated facility that will house the magistrate court, sheriff's department law enforcement division, holding center and home confinement.
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Photo by Brett Dunlap
Wood County Commissioners Wayne Dunn and Steve Gainer discuss certain aspects of the work being done at the new Wood County Justice Center during the Wood County Commission’s meeting Monday.
Krason mentioned a few things that have already been approved, including relocating underground gas piping to fit a new meter, changing the placement of a hose bib on the exterior of the building, reinforcing walls in the evidence room and installing an evidence drop box.
''We just need to have these done,'' Krason said.
The new proposals submitted by the contractor include getting a $7,500 credit for a data wire, a $2,000 credit for leaving the smaller parking lot (with 10 spaces) adjacent to the current magistrate court intact and $4,800 credit for eliminating the paving from the property line to the street near the Third Street Deli. There was also addition costs for new timbers to hold back rock along the side of the building for $500, adding 60 feet of painted handrail along a sidewalk by the building will cost $3,400.
The county will be credited for $10,060, Krason said of the negotiated amount.
The contractor asked the commission to consider putting in new concrete stairs at the new emergency exit for the Wood County Sheriff's Office to the parking area at a cost of $4,713.
''It is a convenience and not required,'' Krason said.
Commission President Blair Couch asked if this was something they could add sometime in the future if it is determined it is needed. Krason said they could.
The commission did not see the need to spend that money and put on hold on it.
The contractor had another $766 drain listed in a bathroom that already had one, which Krason said was an oversight and is recommending that one not be processed.
There is also a recommendation to add a mop sink in a janitor's closet for $2,070. The sink did not have a specific marker on the plans, which led the contractor to believe it was an existing sink, Krason said, adding the new cost also has to include the price of piping for this new sink.
Commissioner Steve Gainer questioned why they had to pay for the sink if it was improperly marked on the plans.
''It's not our fault,'' he said.
Krason said the commission could challenge it and see what happens. However, he said it would be easier to install it now while the work is going on rather than try to come back and do it later after everything is done.
Commissioners agreed to table that recommendation until it can be looked at more closely.
In other business:
