Jefferson County Courthouse to receive upgrades

FAIRFIELD – The Jefferson County Supervisors announced that renovations will begin next week on a pair of projects at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The supervisors have hired Christner Contracting Inc. of Ottumwa to renovate the north entrance to the courthouse, and to renovate the basement bathrooms.

The north entry door does not comply with state fire code because it lacks a pushbar, so that will be added along with further renovations of the north entrance. The basement restrooms need to be remodeled, too, since they are not fully handicap accessible. The bathroom remodeling is expected to cost $80,000 and the north entrance renovation is expected to cost just over $50,000. Money for the project is coming from the federal American Rescue Plan.

Supervisor Daryn Hamilton said Monday that these renovations will entail a minor inconvenience to the public, and that the north door will have to be closed one day next week while a new stoup is poured in front of it.

Jake Ludemann is an estimator with Christner Contracting, and he was at the courthouse Monday to review the site before construction began. He said the plan is to renovate the existing bathrooms in the basement, and to add one that is handicap accessible.

Hamilton said the supervisors plan to renovate the south door, too, but that will be a separate project, which should be let after the first of the year. Hamilton previously told The Union the courthouse loses a lot of heating or air conditioning every time the door opens because there’s no vestibule on the south side.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com