Progress continues on Pulaski County Courthouse renovations

The $12 million renovation project of the Pulaski County Courthouse in Winamac is making progress this week by completing the basement's concrete. Other projects have also brought a wide range of trade workers to the courthouse.

Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer announced updates this week on the Pulaski County Courthouse's $12 million renovation project.

Origer said the courthouse basement is nearly complete, after the concrete had been removed and replaced. The last pour of concrete was made Friday morning. The basement project required excavation, the placement of a six-inch layer of stone, the installation of a vapor barrier and the pouring of the concrete slab.

During the bidding process, prior to the start of the projects, Pulaski County Commissioners agreed to save costs by not removing the entire slab of concrete in the basement, and to only repair what was badly needed. As contractors from Tonn and Blank Construction began removing pieces of concrete, however, they found that some areas were crumbling. Moisture was also another growing issue in other areas in the basement's concrete. Contractors were concerned that the issues would potentially worsen if the entire slab was not replaced.

Other projects also have brought a wide range of trade workers to the courthouse including construction workers, HVAC specialists who are installing a new heating and cooling system, and masons who are grinding all of the exterior grout. Origer said the project so far has been a surprisingly smooth process considering the size and age of the building.