It was under gray and rainy skies a number of officials, many from the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, gathered at the entrance of the historic courthouse on Chardon Square Nov. 15, ready for a walkthrough of the building’s extension.
It was under gray and rainy skies a number of officials, many from the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, gathered at the entrance of the historic courthouse on Chardon Square Nov. 15, ready for a walkthrough of the building’s extension.
Though walkthroughs of this sort are unusual, the event was not done without reason.
“The court staff has endured noise, vibration and disruptions throughout the year with construction of the addition. We find it is always a good morale boost in these instances,” Project Manager Brett Bestgen wrote in a Nov. 18 email. “The staff can see their future rooms and visualize the space they will be working in at the end of next year.”
Staff were shown about the skeletal framing, a printed piece of paper taped to each door, designating what it would be when the project is complete.
Though framing on the third floor is not yet complete, it closely mirrors the layout of the second floor, Bestgen said.
The project is progressing well, he said.
While there have been unique challenges in adding to a Victorian building — the foundation, when uncovered, extended past the exterior wall, causing the building to be shifted four inches to the North — it is expected to be completed by fall of 2025, Bestgen said.
Over the next few weeks, the building will be enclosed and stone and brick veneer will be added to the west face of the building, he said, adding he was looking forward to a successful completion of the project.
