Courthouse Rehab Finds More Damage

Restoration work on the century-old Sub Courthouse annex building on South Grand Avenue is proving more extensive than originally expected, but the project remains on track financially, Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Tom Parker told the Olney City Council on April 14.

The rehabilitation project, which began as a five-week endeavor, has grown into an estimated 12-week effort due to previously unseen structural deterioration in the building’s decorative cornice, Mr. Parker said during his update.

“There’s considerably more deterioration in that cornice than we expected,” Mr. Parker said. “We thought we’d need to replace three to five stones, but we’re now looking at seven.”

Engineers visited the site April 14 to assess options, which include using epoxy impregnation to stabilize the remaining stonework or removing the entire cornice and replacing it with a new profile. Final pricing on those options is expected this week.

Despite the added work, Mr. Parker assured Council members that the project remains within budget. The team was able to reallocate funds initially set aside to repair sidewalk damage caused by construction equipment and instead cover the expanded cornice repairs.

The Sub Courthouse rehabilitation project is managed by OEDC and funded from a lease extension agreement with Young County. The County has already provided the agreed-upon funding for a nine-month lease extension, Mr. Parker said.

The historic Sub Courthouse annex is undergoing a phased restoration to preserve its character while making it safer and more functional for future use, and to attract businesses or public services to the space once the rehab is complete.