Repairs to courthouse, annex could total $5M

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I think the article said the renovation to the courthouse would cost $2,000,000.00 including interior renovation, estimated. I would be in favor of preserving the courthouse. ... Read More 

I think the article said the renovation to the courthouse would cost $2,000,000.00 including interior renovation, estimated. I would be in favor of preserving the courthouse. The balance of the $5 mil, $3 mil would go toward renovation of the annex. Perhaps this little item should have been contemplated before purchasing a site that would require extensive renovation. But what the heck. It's only a few million more of the taxpayers dollars. Planning and foreward thinking seems to be in short supply on the part of the county fathers. If the courthouse is refurbished why the need to refurbish the annex? If you will recall the county judge has lusted after the library building for his office for years. Looks like we could save a lot of money just getting rid of him.

 

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$5M is an "estimate" not including unknowns, unforeseens, or a thing called "change orders". If refurbishing is chosen, Wilson County better seek ... Read More 

$5M is an "estimate" not including unknowns, unforeseens, or a thing called "change orders". If refurbishing is chosen, Wilson County better seek some serious funding for like around $10M...on a gamble!

Why gamble? Why not go with a sure thing...like Guaranteed Maximum Pricing Package on a complete new structure (including the abatement* & demolition of the existing stucture!

*Oops, did someone mention abatement? Uh-oh, AAM (add another million)! Just how much lead paint is on the old building...demo or remodel is the same thing,it will still require remediation, abatement, disposal fees, etc. How about one step further, what about existing ACBM's (Asbestos Containing Building Materials)??? AAM!

You can refurbish a 100 yr old structure but at the end of the day...you still have a decaying 100 yr old structure.

Weight the odds, and bet on a sure thing...not on a hope and prayer!

There are 253 other counties in Texas with an old courthouse just like this one...but how many have a "new" courthouse built to today's ADA/TAS standards, a GREEN building, a LEED Certified courthouse???

 

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P O W E R !!!!!

That's what this is about. SAD.

 

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Exactly as I predicted when they all moved into the annex. Provide more space and they will fill it. It never ends. More space, more people, more power, more taxes. Bureaucrats ... Read More 

Exactly as I predicted when they all moved into the annex. Provide more space and they will fill it. It never ends. More space, more people, more power, more taxes. Bureaucrats are all the same, Washington DC or Floresville. Their first job, as they see it, is to give themselves more power and spend more of our money.