Architects brief commissioners on courthouse ADA upgrades, juvenile-detention feasibility and county facility projects
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Summary
Architects from MJ Neal Associates reviewed a set of ongoing and proposed county building projects, including a grant-funded plan to improve ADA access and technology in third-floor courtrooms, progress on a new sheriff/coroner facility and a feasibility study for juvenile detention expansion.
Architects and county staff presented progress updates on a portfolio of facility projects, telling the Board of Commissioners they are advancing planning and schematic work while awaiting funding decisions for larger construction.
Lede: MJ Neal Associates, the county’s on-call architects, summarized a set of projects that ranged from the courthouse ADA and technology upgrades to the sheriff/coroner facility under construction and a juvenile-detention feasibility study. County staff said several projects are tied to state grant funding or federal grant conditions that shape timing and scope.
Nut graf: The most immediate item discussed was a grant to address ADA access in third-floor courtrooms and related upgrades (access ramps, jury and witness accommodations, accessible restrooms and courtroom technology). Staff emphasized the work aims to keep as much of the historic courtroom footprint intact while adding accessible circulation and assistive-technology features.
What commissioners heard Architects walked the board through floor plans showing options for the Superior and District courtrooms: creating wheelchair-accessible jury-box locations, adding accessible restroom capacity near jury rooms, and designing ramps or reconfigured entrances so the public and jurors can access courtrooms without steps. Staff described the grant’s main purpose as bringing third-floor courtrooms into ADA compliance and adding hearing- and sight-impairment technology.
Other project updates • Sheriff/coroner facility: The sheriff’s new facility is under construction; contractors had completed demolition and are working on utilities and drainage with steel-build submittals under engineering review. The board heard that schedules depend on weather and material reviews.
• Ringhofer building: Closeout work continues; vendors are addressing punch-list items including window sealing and exterior finish work. Staff said final commissioning and reimbursement paperwork for a large grant application are underway.
• Juvenile-detention feasibility: Architects reported a schematic addition and remodel option that would add space adjacent to the existing juvenile area and that cost estimates and budget numbers are being developed for board consideration.
Funding and next steps Staff and architects noted some projects are contingent on grant awards or legislative allocations. Commissioners asked for a clear cost-to-schematic estimate so the board can pause or proceed depending on grant decisions; architects agreed to provide cost estimates and a scoped schematic deliverable that would leave the county with a stable “pause” point if funding is delayed.
Ending: Staff will provide schematic-cost estimates and a prioritized implementation timeline for the courthouse grant and related projects at a future meeting so commissioners can decide whether to proceed, stage work, or hold until funding clears.