Commission amends courthouse design contract, approves asbestos survey and abatement funding

The Maury County Commission amended a contract with Newburgh Architecture LLC on March 17 to expand preliminary design work for the county courthouse and to fund an asbestos survey and abatement so the project can move forward.

County procurement and the courthouse committee recommended adding an asbestos survey and abatement contingency to the design scope. County staff reported asbestos abatement estimates in the range of $79,900 to $100,000 and a survey estimate of roughly $7,900; commissioners amended the architectural authorization upward to include those costs and a contingency, bringing the total authorized action discussed in committee to a larger figure than the original $19,620 contract for design services.

Commissioner Evans, who moved the amendment at the meeting, said asbestos removal is required regardless of the final renovation plan and delaying it would only push costs and work farther into the future. "If we were designing buildings or putting, you know, curtains in, that's one thing, but this is asbestos. It's gotta be done," Evans said.

Commissioner Howard asked that future detailed design and contractor costs come before the building committee for review; commissioners agreed the building committee should receive more detailed plans and cost estimates as the project proceeds. After discussion and an amendment to incorporate the abatement and survey work, the commission approved the amended contract and budget allocation with a recorded vote of 18–2.

Officials said asbestos abatement will require vacating portions of the building while work occurs and that scheduling the abatement will take months; the county's owner-advocate firm provided preliminary cost guidance.