Courthouse windows to look like originals

The windows are to be replaced by October.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- A major change has been made to the ongoing renovation of the Columbiana County Courthouse.
County commissioners voted Wednesday to replace all the windows in the building at a cost of 843,585.
The move will increase the building renovation from 2.7 million to 3.5 million.
But the commissioners said it will help return the building to its original look and save about half the county's 50,000 annual heating and cooling bill.
Many of the window frames are rotted, and county officials have feared glass may fall and hurt someone.
Commissioner Jim Hoppel said the new windows will have the appearance of the original high and narrow windows.
Hoppel said some of the windows are held in place with tape.
Commissioner Dan Bing said he stuffs a blanket in a window in his office to keep out the draft.
Parts of windows had been covered with rotting wood or metal bars designed to keep the windows from falling out.
The common pleas court judges last year got approval to renovate the courtrooms, allied offices and the heating and cooling systems.
The initial project is being funded through a low-cost, 30-year loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Special court and other fees will repay the loan.
About the loan
The USDA has approved the additional loan for the windows that will be repaid with a 0.2-mill debt reduction levy automatically collected by the county. The county will have to formally apply for the loan.
The county can get the loan because the project, Hoppel said, "meets historical qualifications."
The courthouse was built in the 1870s, and a rear addition was built in the 1930s.
There are between 115 to 120 windows in the courthouse, depending on how the pieces of multiple-paned windows are counted, Hoppel said.
Pella Windows and Doors will get the window contract. The work will include replacing wooden sashes inside the walls that were used to raise and lower the windows. The new windows will open and close.
Hoppel said almost all of the window air conditioners in the courthouse will be replaced. The few that will remain will be in basement offices were they will be out of sight.
Court administrator Amy Ondrejko said the courtroom renovation is expected to be finished in late July.
There's dust in much of the courthouse as work continues. That will be cleaned up before any official opening of the new courts.
Hoppel said the county doesn't have enough money now for a major repainting program. The massive wooden front doors and part of the interior metal stairs were repainted several years ago.
Hoppel said there may be some money to spruce up the lobby area when the work is completed.
wilkinson@vindy.com