Bell tower of Historic Courthouse in Centreville

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has authorized chimney and bell tower repairs to the Historic Courthouse in Centreville at a cost of $50,665.

Action on the matter during the board’s meeting on Monday (May 3rd) came in response to a bid submitted by Frank Mihm of Mihm Enterprises, the original roof contractor from ten years ago.

According to minutes from the Physical Resource Committee meeting on April 22nd, new moisture damage was visible a few months ago on the southwest side of the Commission Room ceiling, above where media representatives sit during commission meetings.  This ceiling area was re-worked in late 2008 by Dayton Spence, the original artist, and is again showing moisture damage.  Mihm was called to inspect the roof and discovered a nail protruding through the membrane.  He caulked the area and will return to fix the problem correctly under warranty.

Minutes from the Executive Committee meeting on April 30th report that, while Mihm was on the roof, he observed and inspected several problem areas with the chimneys, bell tower and cornice areas and recommended that repairs reflected in the bid be done.

Historic Courthouse with gazebo in foreground

According to the minutes, “The contractor selected ten years ago was the low bidder then ($157K) and specializes in historical building restoration and preservation.  There were no performance problems and the work done ten years ago remains impeccable today.  This is dangerous, specialized work.  In the past other contractors have done some work on the Courthouse and we have learned it is important to use contractors with proven experience with historical buildings.  When asked, the contractor indicated he felt his proposal was addressing the issues that are relevant at this time and there may be some areas on the bell tower that he will not be able to see up close until they are here on site with the lift.”

The Physical Resource Committee recommended the Mihm proposal to the board and the vote to proceed with it was unanimous.