Changes to building connected to Craven County Courthouse will alleviate Florence, other concerns
Editor's Note: This story provides clarity to a previously published story regarding future construction connected to the Craven County Courthouse.
A new $5 million state grant will go towards a major renovation and repair project to the old jail and sheriff's office connected to the Craven County Courthouse which suffered significant flooding damage during Hurricane Florence.
The project will change some aspects of the building's exterior appearance, which faces Craven Street and the Craven County Government building while making the interior floors more accessible.
Like many buildings in downtown New Bern, the courthouse and surrounding buildings suffered extensive damage during the 2018 storm. Though the county has been working steadily to repair the structure, a State Capital and Infrastructure Fund grant included in North Carolina’s 2021 state budget will significantly aid the completion of the project, which is budgeted to come in at an overall cost of $8.9 million.
Last week, Craven County Commissioners approved a budget amendment for the project that included $5 million for general construction, $455,000 in architect and engineering fees and $152,000 for the project contingency budget.
The picture shared with the public of the architect's renderings of what the facelift would look like is a rough draft and has to be approved by the New Bern Historic Preservation Commission. County officials ensured no changes will be made to the historic portion of the Craven County Courthouse ― a building that was constructed in the late 1800s.
The planned work includes improvements to provide an entrance in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Work will also provide greater access to the building’s second and third floors with the addition of a new elevator and handicapped-accessible ramp.
In addition to making the building more accessible, exit doors will be raised above the floodplain, making the building more secure from natural disasters while improving its accessibility. The project will also address the sally port leading down into the old sheriff's office basement that was inundated with more than 9 feet of water during Florence.
Other changes will include a new fenced-in, covered area behind the Emergency Services Offices that will be used for inmates being brought in and out of the facility for court appearances
The project, which has been discussed since a year after Florence hit, has already seen some work done.
Restoration and report work has been completed, including the relocation of files and staff from the basement area, the replacement of a chiller unit, air handler, and boiler, and brick and plaster wall restoration. A security elevator used for inmate transfer has also been replaced.
The acceptance of the funds include restrictions on how they are used, meaning the county also has to follow FEMA guidelines for what they can and can not do to the building.
This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Changes to building connected to Craven County Courthouse alleviates concerns
