Lorain County to spend more on historic courthouse renovation

The Lorain County commissioners have approved additional money for the refurbishing of the old county courthouse.

The commissioners signed off on an additional $104,930.95 in change orders for the project which will revitalize the building at 308 Second St. and add a third floor. The project was already set to cost $5.19 million.

According to Lorain County Administrator James Cordes, he’s not a fan of change orders, but due to the inclusion of the third floor these are necessary.

“Because that was an extensive change to the building that required that the building be sprinkled under the new fire codes,” he said.

According to Cordes, a recent pressure check on the area necessitates booster pumps for the building.

The commissioners approved $15,635.40 to Sona Construction for plumbing, $50,486.20 to R.M. Riggle to install a new fire pump, $14,611.35 to South Shore Electric to accommodate that new pump, $979 to SPP Mechanical to install isolation valves and $23,219 to Mosser Construction to extend the deadline of completion on the project to March 2, 2018, due to the plumbing components.

On the flipside, the commissioners also approved a change order that will save the county money.

Mosser Construction will be receiving $4,731 less than expected due to “unforeseen conditions for various pipes, subfloors, drywall, wood paneling, door hardware and miscellaneous steel,” according to the agenda item.