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1841 Courthouse renovation begins

| 29 Jan 2015 | 12:24
    Orange County Officials pose in front of the 1841 Courthouse, golden shovels in hand, hardhats on heads. From left: Legislator Katie Bonelli (R-Blooming Grove); Chris Vibrock, acting commissioner of public works; Steve Legislator Steve Brescia (R-Montgomery), Legislator Michael Amo (I-Kiryas Joel); L. Todd Dorio, president of the Hudson Valley Chris Eachus, Jeff Berkman, Myrna Kemnitz.
    Orange County Officials pose in front of the 1841 Courthouse, golden shovels in hand, hardhats on heads. From left: Legislator Katie Bonelli (R-Blooming Grove); Chris Vibrock, acting commissioner of public works; Steve Legislator Steve Brescia (R-Montgomery), Legislator Michael Amo (I-Kiryas Joel); L. Todd Dorio, president of the Hudson Valley Chris Eachus, Jeff Berkman, Myrna Kemnitz.
    The 1841 Courthouse in Goshen (Photo by Edie Johnson)
    The 1841 Courthouse in Goshen (Photo by Edie Johnson)

GOSHEN — County officials gathered at a press conference Wednesday "to commemorate work" to upgrade both the 1841 Courthouse and the board of elections offices in Goshen.

The work, expected to take about one year, and has already begun.

"We are fixing our own house and doing what is responsible for the county," said County Executive Steve Neuhaus. "This is one thing the county agrees on. We are united in our commitment to do this project with local labor under a Project Labor Agreement."

Legislative Chair Steve Brescia agreed. "This is a great day for the legislature, and for the county," he said.

The building has landmark historic status. It will get improved insulation and handicap accessibility at a cost of $2.9 million.

The board of elections building will be demolished and rebuilt at an estimated cost of $6.5 million. The legislature limited the cost of both projects to $9.5 million.

Many in the county love the building's Greek Revival style. Despite clashes on many ongoing projects, legislators agreed that this renovation should be a top priority and so separated the courthouse project from the controversy that has stalled progress on the government cetner.

Workers were busy Wednesday removing asbestos . Meanwhile, the Information Technology Department has been moved to the 911 Emergency Services Department on Wells Farm Road in Goshen.

The building was designed by architect Thornton Niven and served as the county government center until the 1970s, when Paul Rudolph designed the current government center.