The renovation project of the Town of Webb (TOW) Courthouse which was initially anticipated to be completed in three phases over the course of three years, wrapped up far ahead of schedule on Thursday, April 10th.
Initial renovations began on March 1, 2013 with the removal of walls to create more office space, installation of energy efficient windows, new wiring, and insulation of walls—a first in the building’s long history.
A construction crew of inmates from Mid-State Correctional Facility under the supervision of Graham, along with some TOW Department of Public Works personnel, spent the month completing the first phase of the project with $25,000 in funds made available through the Town of Webb Board.
Four inmates returned on February 10 of this year to tackle the next phase.
Due to lack of work in other areas, Graham said the inmates were available for a longer period of time than last year, which allowed them to finish off the entire project over a two-month period.
The current improvements include complete re-wiring, re-plumbing and insulation, an overhaul of the main court room and conference room, and the creation of a jury room.
“We have always been able to accommodate a jury, but it was a cumbersome situation where the jury was cramped into a smaller area. We were able to tear one room out and combine it with another conference room to create the space. If you’re going to be a court, you need to present a fair environment…you need a good facility,” Graham said.
Everything is new, from sheet rock to wainscot, to a new drop ceiling to a fresh paint job. Safety, heating and lighting standards have also been greatly improved, thanks to the assistance of DPW worker Shawn Smith.
“Shawn did the plumbing, electric and heating system—I am tremendously grateful for his help,” Graham said.
This second and final phase of construction was made possible through another $25,000 allowance by the Webb Board and a $13,000 J-CAP grant secured by Graham through the Department of Court Administration.
“I thank the town board for their trust in me that I was able to get this done. It was a gamble on their part, but they listened to what the needs (of the building) were. I don’t know how many thousands of dollars were saved by utilizing the inmates for labor. It was incredible,” Graham said.
The crew will celebrate the completion of the renovation on Friday, April 11 with a steak dinner at the new, improved facility.