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Scaffolding up at Cowlitz County admin building after chunk of facade fell; inspection to determine scope
Summary
County staff erected scaffolding and closed a sidewalk after concrete fell from the admin building’s south facade; inspection results and cost estimates are expected early next week.
Cowlitz County flagged potential structural problems on the south facade of the county administration building after a piece of concrete fell and landed in the grass several weeks ago. Crews installed scaffolding and began an inspection the morning of the meeting.
Mike Moss, Public Services Director, said the county placed a protective tunnel over the sidewalk and deployed a lift for the masonry inspection. “They started the inspection this morning at 11 a.m.,” Moss said. County Engineer Susan Eugenis told commissioners the initial assessment suggests water intrusion behind masonry and the mud board has started to loosen the brick and concrete veneer.
Eugenis warned the county does not yet know the full extent of needed repairs. “They said it’ll give us an estimate and a report early next week, and we’ll report back on our Wednesday meeting next week and give you the good news or the bad news,” she said. Staff said the affected area might be an isolated small strip, but if inspectors find multiple locations they could recommend replacing much of the south wall; because the building is historic, such work could be “fairly expensive.”
Commissioners asked whether other walls might be affected; Eugenis said the north wall was built later in different material, but the south wall could require more extensive work and that the east and west walls could be inspected if additional issues are found. Staff also noted routine maintenance funds and available cash balances could be tapped for emergency repairs, but no specific appropriation or estimate was put forward at the meeting.
No formal action or contract award was taken at the meeting. Staff said they will circulate the inspector’s report and cost estimate to commissioners and staff when available and will update the board at the next Wednesday meeting.
