Courthouse exterior to get needed facelift

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Built in 1876, the Van Wert County Courthouse is a community landmark, but one whose façade is showing its age. There’s rust on the metal window casings, while a number of the window frames are deteriorating and masonry work is crumbling.

A multi-phase effort by the county commissioners to bring the 138-year-old structure’s exterior back to its original glory will begin this year, according to Commissioner Todd Wolfrum.

“We felt we needed to do something to keep the building maintained while we had budget surpluses available,” Wolfrum said, adding that maintenance work on the courthouse now would avoid even larger outlays down the road, if the building is allowed to deteriorate further.

The commissioners recently contracted with All Trades Historical Restoration LLC in Tampa, Florida, on the first phase of a planned multi-year restoration process for the courthouse, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The first phase will encompass the front of the courthouse.

As part of the project, All Trades will first remove rust from metal trim on the outside the building, as well as deteriorated or defective caulking and paint from metal surfaces around the building’s exterior.

The company would also tuckpoint any missing or deteriorated mortar joints and rake back in preparation for the use of sealants and repair deteriorated metalwork as required. All metal trim and wood exterior trim will be primed and painted and the building exterior cleaned and waterproofed using sealants.

Deteriorating wood window sills are to be patched or replaced, as needed, and all exposed glass surfaces cleaned.

Total price of the project is set at just under $50,000, with additional projects scheduled for the next couple of years as needed.

Work on the first phase is scheduled to begin within the next week or so, Wolfrum said.