Work begins on courthouse roof repairs – The Herald Bulletin

ANDERSON With temperatures in the 30s and a brisk wind blowing, crews from Indianapolis Roofing & Sheet Metal started the process last week of replacing the roof on the Madison County Government Center.

Its the first step toward the installation of a new heating and air conditioning system, which is expected to cost an estimated $1 million.

The Madison County commissioners awarded a contract last Tuesday to Indianapolis Roofing & Sheet Metal, which submitted the lowest of eight bids received at a cost of $187,986, which was below the estimated cost of $250,000.

The Madison County Government Center was dedicated in 1973 and has been in use for the past 44 years.

Consultant Terry Burnworth of Pyramid Engineering said the roof was replaced in 1983, but the original roof is still in place.

Right now there is water seepage around the perimeter of the building, he said. There are two layers of concrete on the roof. One is structural and the second is a wearing deck which is sloped to drain water.

Burnworth said some concrete patching work may be required.

He said with the county replacing the heating and air conditioning system this year it was the perfect opportunity to replace the roof.

Standing on the courthouse roof, Todd Durnil, project manager for Pyramid, said the crews are working to remove the roofing material.

You can see different shades where the roof has been patched, he said. They will strip off the existing roof and the insulation on the original roof.

Durnil said 3 inches of rigid insulation will be installed and the new roofing material, with a 15-year warranty, will be placed over the insulation.

This process is less labor intensive, so we should see no problems making the deadline of March, he said. They can work anytime the temperatures are above 20 degrees. They think this is balmy.

Commissioner John Richwine, R-North District, said the roof work had to be started so that when the new boiler and chiller arrive, they can be installed easily.

The roof had to be replaced before the new HVAC system is installed, he said. Its getting to be an old building and we need to take special care of it.

Richwine said the county has been making repairs to the courthouse square over the past few years.

A new sidewalk was installed along the plaza area on Ninth Street, and work is continuing to improvements on the Meridian Street entrance.

Last year, the Madison County Council approved an allocation of $81,000 from food and beverage tax revenues for the beautification of the plaza area of the courthouse.

Richwine said there have been discussions about how to use those funds and work should start this summer.

The proposal is to plant trees along Ninth Street, with decorative art on the building and columns using vibrant colors.

John Lavine, an intern with the Madison County Council of Governments and an architecture student at Ball State University, said at the time the proposal is to give the area a more contemporary feel.

We want to create a destination place, he said. The artwork would celebrate Andersons natural history.

The total cost estimate for the project is $260,000 and the commissioners are looking for other funding sources.

Owens said the renovation of the plaza would make the Government Center more attractive to visitors.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 640-4863.

Go here to see the original:
Work begins on courthouse roof repairs - The Herald Bulletin