Commissioners shelve Crawford Building renovation after cost and space‑needs concerns

Rowan County commissioners voted June 2, 2025, to halt the Crawford Building renovation project and authorize the county manager to approve a contract change order that would stop the project and shelve further work until the county completes a space‑needs study for the Justice Center.

County staff reported a combined projected construction cost for the Crawford Building renovation and courthouse expansion of about $6,658,963. “The projected cost came out, that the combined construction for the renovations, the Crawford Building, and then expansion of the courthouse, would be $6.06 point or $6,658,963,” the County Manager said.

Nut Graf: Staff recommended pausing the project because the county is concurrently completing a space‑needs study for justice operations and because the renovation’s cost per square foot was high; commissioners voted for the option to authorize staff to finalize a change order that would effectively end the current contract rather than proceed to bid at the present estimate.

Commissioners discussed cost, the recommendation from the basement/structural review to demolish and build new in some scenarios, and the prudence of waiting for the space‑needs analysis before committing to large construction dollars. The board approved a motion for the manager to pursue option one (authorize change order and end the project) and carried the motion by voice vote.

Ending: With the board’s direction, staff will coordinate contract changes and await the completed space‑needs study before returning with options for courthouse and office space projects.