If ever anyone needed proof that government at the state and county level are completely out of touch with the people of this state, then they need go no farther:
Grant would bring polish back to Clark County’s courthouseMore:
Commissioners must approve matching funds to clean building’s brass fixtures
Photo by Steven Lane
The brass-trimmed front doors at the 1940 Clark County Courthouse could be restored, along with other brass fixtures, with help from a state historic rehabilitation grant.
By Stephanie Rice
Columbian Staff Reporter
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The 1940 Clark County Courthouse has retained its brass-trimmed entry doors and fixtures, but they’ve long since lost their luster.
A $33,000 grant from the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation will pay for a professional restoration of the brass-trimmed doors, brass elevator doors and brass railings, lights and mullions in the large window above the front entrance.
The grant requires the county to provide matching funds, so commissioners are expected to vote this month whether to accept the grant, said Mark McCauley, the county director of general services.
McCauley applied for the grant knowing he has the $33,000 matching dollars in his facilities budget.
“The appearance of all that brass has really gone south over the years,” McCauley said. “We are trying to return it to its former glory.”
Work could include tearing up the carpet in the hallway on the south side of the first floor — where the jury assembly room, snack bar and law library are located — and restoring the original terrazzo floors to match the central lobby, McCauley said.
The courthouse, which has five floors and a basement, was designed by architect Day W. Hilborn (1897-1971), whose work includes Kiggins Bowl (described by the Department of Archeology & Historic Preservation as “an engineering masterpiece at the time”), Kiggins Theater and projects not named for the late Vancouver Mayor John P. Kiggins, such as smaller theaters in Oregon and the Klickitat County Courthouse.
When the courthouse opened at 1200 Franklin Street, there was one courtroom, and the top floor housed the jail. The Clark County Prosecutor’s Office was once in the courthouse, as were non-court-related county offices such as the auditor, treasurer and the assessor.
Commissioner Hinton would, of course, fire the moron who applied for the grant and zero out any budget that just happened to have 10's of thousands of dollars laying around to waste on garbage like this.
As other commenters have pointed out, we have both prisoners and Brasso. Use them
The rag, of course, will likely enthusiastically support this nonsense, because they have yet to figure out that ALL government money originates from the taxpayers.
Dumb idea. And the source of it should have their employment terminated, both at the state... and the county level.
Two things you missed Kelly. First, that grant requires, "McCauley applied for the grant knowing he has the $33,000 matching dollars in his facilities budget."
ReplyDeleteSo double the price tag for this shining.
And second, isn't Royce on this commission or related?? That might require a little bit more research on the subject.... (though I COULD be wrong...)