The outer walls of the south and east facades of the Meeker County Courthouse will soon come tumbling down and be demolished as a result of county board action.
Commissioners will receive quotes on the project Friday and will award the job shortly thereafter. Once this work is completed, the county board will be in better position to decide on follow-up work, County Administrator Paul Virnig said.
In May, county officials began examining a potentially serious structural fault after decorative stucco that forms the outer surface of the building started pulling away from the layers beneath it. The issue, according to facilities manager Joel Ramthun, is most serious on the east and south outer walls.
Surrounded by orange construction fencing and cones, the eastern main entrance was closed temporarily as a safety precaution, and parking has been banned on the west side of Sibley Avenue, fronting the courthouse. This stretch of sidewalk is also closed. Visitors have been entering the courthouse, built in 1976, through the west doors at the back of the building.
Removing the façade, Virning said, will result in the opening of the sidewalk along the west side of Sibley Avenue, in front the courthouse. He added that the commissioners regret that repair action has taken so long and appreciate the patience of citizens.
