Staff Writer
Some 50 years after it was constructed, the Augusta-Richmond County municipal building is getting a face-lift.
Chris Thelen/Staff
Mark Ritter (left) and Dave Humphrey, of Hemm's Glass Shops Inc., work on installing energy-efficient windows at the municipal building in Augusta. The building also will get a new roof during work that should end by this summer.
The county's Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax is paying for the work, Administrator Fred Russell said.
The Greene Street building that houses courtrooms and judicial offices, and other city and county offices needed repair, said Mr. Russell, who has an office in the 10-story building.
"We're stabilizing the exterior of the building, along with putting on a new roof," he said.
Replacement windows will provide a sound-proofing buffer for nearby train whistles and emergency sirens. The 465 replacement windows are also energy efficient, Mr. Russell said.
Rick Acree, the county's assistant public services manager, said three of five elevators in the building will be replaced.
Bob Munger, the program manager with Heery International Inc., said work should be done by this summer. The Atlanta-based construction management firm is overseeing the $2.7 million renovation project.
The municipal building was constructed in 1957 on the front lawn of Richmond County's traditional, century-old courthouse, which was then torn down.
The newer building, often called the "marble palace" has shown wear and tear through the years, Mayor Deke Copenhaver said.
Mr. Acree said the project is within budget and its proposed completion time-frame.
"We aren't looking at any change-orders," he said.
Reach Timothy Cox at (706) 823-3217 or tim.cox@augustachronicle.com.
