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Commissioners approve removal of old west entrance, consider accessible upgrades under $20,000
Summary
Hand County commissioners approved a bid to remove the deteriorating west entrance and directed staff to pursue handicap-access improvements; commissioners reviewed vendor estimates totaling roughly $16,800 for automatic doors, closures and a drop box and asked facilities to clarify electrical and historic-preservation issues.
Hand County commissioners voted to remove the county's old west entrance and asked staff to pursue modifications to make the entrance wheelchair accessible, after reviewing bids and construction estimates.
Cole Uecker, executive director of Disability Rights South Dakota, told the board the historic courthouse is "gorgeous" but raised practical accessibility issues during a presentation, including that painted accessible parking markings can be obscured by winter snow and that at least one first-floor accessible restroom is a reasonable accommodation. Commissioners asked staff to prioritize low-cost, high-impact changes such as wall-mounted ADA signs and a single accessible stall.
Commissioner Will presented three written estimates from vendors including House of Glass and a local contractor. The proposals included a $1,500 option to install a drop box into an existing panel, a $9,419 estimate to install automatic door openers that may require cutting marble and concrete at the doorframe, and a $5,135 quote to replace interior door closures. Will summarized the package as "approximately $16,823.29" and told the board, "I think that we can get this ... for less than $20,000," while noting that the bids did not include electrical work or optional exterior light restoration.
Commissioners discussed historic-preservation review and electrical routing for the automatic openers; staff said the State Historical Society may need to be consulted because work involves cutting into marble and concrete above the doors. Facilities staff (BJ) was directed to inspect existing wiring and coordinate with bidders to refine the electrical estimate and confirm timeline and sequencing so the entrance would be unavailable only for the minimal number of days.
The board approved a separate, related motion to accept Bridal Construction's bid to remove the old west entrance and passed that motion with an aye vote. The board also asked that staff return with refined cost and schedule information, photographs, and a bathroom-access plan for the next meeting.
The action completes the formal step to remove the unsafe lean-to entrance and starts a follow-up process to deliver accessible access with attention to historic character and wiring constraints. Staff will report back with a recommended final scope and cost estimate.
