Second-floor courthouse remodel project continues

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
The project to remodel the second floor of the Weston County Courthouse is nearing completion, with current work consisting of paneling and trimming, according to Administrator Dan Blakeman. 
“If I had to guess, I would say they (Michael’s Construction) are about 70 percent complete. They (contractors) are in the part that is going to take a lot of time; you are not going to see a lot of change from day to day,” Blakeman said. 
The project is being funded mainly through grant funding – about 63 percent – while the county will pay about 37 percent of the cost, meaning the county will contribute $320,274 while grant funding contributed $547,238. According to courthouse remodel funding sheets, $277,604 of the grant contribution came in the form of courthouse remodel grant monies, courthouse security monies total $199,200, the Wyoming Supreme Court contributed $44,000 for courthouse security and the Road and Bridge shop funds will contribute $26,434. 
The bid from Michael’s Construction, the lowest of the four bids received by the county, came in at a total of $685,647. The commissioners also agreed to set aside money for a 10 percent contingency fund totaling $78,864 and architectural costs up to $103,000. 
Blakeman reported to the Weston County commissioners on Oct. 2 that as of that date, a total of $327,704.37 in grant money was left. He later told the News Letter Journal that about $35,000 of the contingency funds had been spent, with one more potential change order on the project. 
The project, according to Blakeman, is in the finishing phase, with the contractor doing detail work such as trim and paneling. 
Blakeman noted that while the project is on schedule, an issue with the staining of the large wooden doors for the courtroom will set the project back two to three weeks. 
“I wouldn’t even want to guess when they (district court) can move back upstairs  because there are too many things involved in the actual move,” Blakeman told the News Letter Journal. “I believe the building will be ready right around Thanksgiving though.” 
The commissioners plan to take another tour of the upstairs during their Oct. 16 meeting. They have also begun a discussion on who to invite to the open house that will be held when the project is complete. That list includes the public, the State Land and Investment Board, the Wyoming Supreme Court, and local representatives and senators.