Mahoning commissioners set to start courthouse renovation; hire attorney for judge

BOARDMAN

The historic Mahoning County Courthouse remains on track for its major facelift.

The commissioners Wednesday awarded the $4.6 million courthouse restoration contract to Murphy Contracting Co. of Youngstown.

The lowest of five bidders, Murphy’s bid was well below the $6.9 million architect’s estimate for restoration of the cornice, gutters and parapet roof of the 104-year-old downtown Youngstown landmark.

The county has saved and borrowed money for several years for the restoration.

The project includes about $700,000 for repair or replacement of about 1,500 pieces of molded clay brick or block, known as terra cotta.

Also included is $184,000 to load, ship, restore and return the copper statues from storage to the courthouse, where they will be reinstalled on the roof.

James Fortunato, county purchasing director, said he hopes the long-awaited work will begin in the next two weeks.

In other action, the commissioners approved the purchase of hot-mix asphalt to make permanent road repairs from five vendors at prices ranging from $53.50 to $60 a ton to cover various zones of the county.

They also voted to advertise for bids for a new traffic-light installation at South Avenue and McClurg Road in Boardman.

The commissioners also approved the appointment of Atty. A. Ross Douglas to represent Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of the county’s common pleas court for $10,000 in her defense against an alleged rape victim’s request the 7th District Court of Appeals order the judge to bring the alleged rapist to trial in a five-year-old case.

Read more about their actions in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com