By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
The frustration over the Crawford County Courthouse roof was quite evident Tuesday in a meeting between commissioners and architect Bruce Heinlen.
Commissioner Jenny Vermillion called it an “ongoing saga” and Commissioner Doug Weisenauer said at one point, “We’ve likely wasted a year.”
Heinlen updated the commissioners and it became clear that although he had some answers regarding the roof, others questions still remained. Heinlen had consulted and looked at the roof with Dave Cronenbaugh of Renaissance Roofing. Heinlen said that the company had extensive experience in roofing projects with courthouses and universities and was one of the few companies that still worked with copper roofs. Heinlen said some core samples had been taken from the roof, but that they had not been fully analyzed at this point.
While Heinlen said the roof itself looked to be “pretty much intact, some areas on parts of the roof were deteriorated.”
When Heinlen said it did not appear as though there was a great deal of moisture in the roof, Vermillion quipped, “It’s all draining through.”
Heinlen indicated to the commissioners what is left to do is determine what, if any, asbestos was in the roof in case it had to be stripped, what can be salvaged and what needed to be completely replaced and then adding up the final costs.
As far as options for funding, Weisenauer was staunchly in favor of going forward with a two phase project – one to replace or repair the roof and the second to take care of the clock tower and copper dome. While the hope is to receive some funding from the Historical Preservation Office, the commissioners are trying to balance the costs of preserving the integrity of the building’s original architecture versus putting a roof on that will last.
“The Historical Society wants to maintain a flat roof because that’s what’s there,” Weisenauer said.
“Just because somebody made a mistake 100 years ago doesn’t mean we have to continue it,” Vermillion said in response.
Regardless, Heinlen indicated some changes should be made regardless of roof type or materials used. “What we’re thinking about is abandoning the internal drainage system and putting in downspouts,” he said.
The other issue is roof type, likely a low slop style, and material be it metal, composite or copper.
Facilities Manager Bruce Weir noted, “People don’t see the roof. Cost-wise and longevity it (sloping roof) is better.”
Plans are for Henlen to meet again with the commissioners in a week or two with additional information. Wesienauer wants to get bids packages prepared as soon as possible. Heinlen said he felt bids could go out yet this year and be opened by January or February with construction starting sometime in the spring, depending on the weather.