PORT ANGELES — As renovations to the historic Clallam County Courthouse wrap up later this week, public works officials are asking for a final change order to a $347,388 contract with Advanced Construction Inc.
The $13,543 change order — the third since construction began late last year — will pay for additional rubber base, roofing, wood trim, molding, bird spikes and other items.
It also returns $3,263 for masonry that was not installed.
“Most of these items, the bigger items, were unforeseen,” Joel Winborn told the three county commissioners Monday.
Winborn is county parks, fair and facilities manager.
‘Missed in drawings’
“A couple of the things were things we just missed in the drawings,” he said.
Commissioner Steve Tharinger, who is also a state legislator, took part in Monday’s county work session by speakerphone from Olympia.
The main floor of the older wing of the courthouse was painted and remodeled. Exterior work included a new staircase for the west entrance and repairs to the clock
and bell tower.
“We’re scheduled to complete this project Thursday, and that includes the final cleaning and everything,” Winborn said.
The second and third floors of the historic courthouse were remodeled in 1999. A fuel-burning boiler was replaced with an energy-efficient electric steam boiler in 2009.
If the commissioners approve the change order today, the total cost of the project will be $360,930.
Half of the project was paid for by a 50-50 matching grant from the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
Clallam County budgeted its share through its capital projects fund.
Built in 1914, the historic courthouse made the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
The larger east side of the courthouse and its connecting jail were built in 1979.
Mukilteo-based Advanced Construction was selected because it submitted the lowest of four bids the county received last September.
‘Fantastic job’
“They’re doing a fantastic job,” Winborn said. “It’s just time to get them out and clean it up.”
Four county departments were temporarily relocated during construction: Washington State University Extension, the law library, environmental health and the Parks, Fair and Facilities Division.
In other discussion from Monday, County Engineer Ross Tyler told commissioners that Priest Road northeast of central Sequim will be closed for up to one week sometime between
March 15 and March 31.
The closure is needed to replace an irrigation ditch crossing. A new culvert will be installed, and humps in the road will be removed.
The irrigation ditch is four-tenths of a mile north of Washington Street.
Commissioner Mike Doherty recommended that road crews post signs during the closure that show alternate routes.
Tyler said the work will likely be finished in less than seven days.
“It’s just in the best interest of the public to be prepared for the worst-case scenario,” he said.
In other news, the county has applied for a grant renewal with the state Department of Ecology for a community litter cleanup program.
The $61,673 grant, which runs through June 2013, would pay for two Clallam County chain gang supervisors and administration costs.
Jail Superintendent Ron Sukert said the county has been successful in securing the grant “because we do well with the monies that we’ve given.”
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
