Court agrees to pursue annex building recladding plan and asks staff to return with final budget

County project staff presented a proposed change order and budget approach to reclad the historic annex building and connector bridge so the exterior will match the new Judicial Center facade.

Staff outlined the scope — removal of old brick and stone, new limestone or metal panel cladding, replacement of windows and storefronts, and upgraded waterproofing and HVAC elements for the connector bridge — and provided order‑of‑magnitude construction estimates. One staff estimate put total recladding and bridge work at about $4,385,000; another staff figure presented to the court rounded to $4,400,000.

Project managers described a phased approach to minimize disruption: work by elevation, weekend or off‑hours demolition at public entrances, and phasing of window replacement. The project team said they are holding an uncommitted buyout/contingency fund of roughly $3.4 million within the Judicial Center project and that the county currently had about $24.4 million in unallocated bond funds that could be reprioritized.

Commissioners asked about matching stone color, sequencing to avoid reworking recently completed public plaza and paving work, and where to source funds. County staff said they would prepare a formal change order and a required budget amendment and return to the court with exact numbers and funding sources. The court voted to move forward with the proposal conceptually and to have staff return with the formal paperwork and final cost breakdown for approval.