Hunter
04/15/24
A series of “surprises” and roadblocks has led to an increased budget and a longer timeline for the Johnson County Courthouse renovation project.
The Daily Iowan reports the county is working to fix the structural issues to the building, which was put into service in 1901. The Board of Supervisors hoped to have the current phase of renovations done by 2023. They should now be completed later this year. All phases of the project, which began in 2022, have now been estimated to be completed in 2028.
The renovations are part of a five-phase plan for structural, signage, landscaping, space layout, and mechanical and electrical renovations throughout the three levels of the courthouse.
Johnson County Facilities Director Dave Curtis said the delays began in 2020, when COVID prevented the project from starting on time. Contractors have also had to deal with the fact that no blueprints exist for the Courthouse, causing them to work more carefully to figure out the structural layout and to not damage the historical aspects of the building.
County Special Projects Manager Melissa Robert said they’ve found more surprises during construction that have extended the timeline.
Total construction costs are now estimated at $9,460,000.
