Members of the Polk County commission’s Building and Grounds Committee toured the old county courthouse in Ducktown after the lone offer to put a new roof on the building came with the recommendation a structural engineer would need to study the building first.
County Executive Robby Hatcher had issued a RFP (Request For Proposals) for the roof. The only response came from Sanders Flooring Group. In that response, Gerald Sanders wrote that circumstances had been discovered that raised concern over the structural integrity of the building.
After discussing the cost of a structural engineer, the commission referred the matter to the committee to first look at the building.
Greg Brooks, who chairs the committee, Shane Bowman, Keith Barker, James “Mush” Davis, Joe Akins, and County Executive Robby Hatcher met at the courthouse October 20.
During a walk-through, concerns were raised over the leaking roof and water often standing on the roof due to clogged guttering, possible structural challenges brought about by the age of the building, extensive water damage in the ceiling and walls, insufficient heating and air conditioning, and the strong possibility of asbestos.
Barker and Davis both told of hearing from residents about the need to preserve the building because of its historical value, but as discussions continued members agreed the cost might far exceed such value.
During the commission meeting that followed, when questioned by other commissioners, members agreed the building is not worth fixing.
Originally, the committee had planned to meet October 25 to tour the Copper Basin Medical Center Building to determine if it could be re-purposed to meet the court system’s needs or used in some other way.
That meeting was canceled.
Brooks said later he was informed there might be some interest in the hospital.
However, he said if that interest did not materialize he would schedule another Building and Grounds Committee meeting at Copper Basin Medical Center at the commission’s next regular meeting, which will be held in November.