Johnson County considering local engineers for courthouse entrance project

IOWA CITY - The Johnson County Board of Supervisors plan to reach out to local structural engineers to finalize plans to add a secure entrance to the county's historic courthouse.

The county's recent request for qualifications seeking engineering firms to design the new entrance generated only one response, from Cedar Rapids-based company Ament. The firm has offered to complete an initial study, which would prepare the county to open up the project for bids, for $9,800.

Now the board will have to decide whether to proceed with Ament for the project, or pursue a contract with another local firm using the county's plans for the entrance.

'I don't mind holding this as an option, but I don't mind taking our concept plan and going to smaller engineering firms to draw up bid documents,” Supervisor Janelle Rettig said.

Several supervisors said during Wednesday's work session that all options will be pursued, but added that the county still plans to finish the project this year.

'We know what we want, lets get this moving forward,” Supervisor Terrence Neuzil said. 'The sooner we can get this project going, the better.”

Ultimately, a structural engineer will need to approve design plans before bids can be opened to contractors.

After three failed referendums in recent years to expand the courthouse, the board is now pursuing the construction of a secure entrance to the back of the historic courthouse. Officials say the new entrance will include handicapped accessibility and added security, while the front entrance will eventually be closed and used as an emergency entrance.

The board has approved adding two deputies to work in the courthouse and have designated $250,000 to fund the entrance project.