STRUCTURALLY SOUND
Structural engineer: Potter County Courthouse in 'good condition'

The Potter County Courthouse has no major structural problems, according to a report from Lee Simpson Associates, a structural engineering firm that recently did a complete inspection of the 155- year-old building.

A structural engineer called in to study the 155-year-old Potter County Courthouse had some good news for the county.

In an assessment made public by the county commissioners last week, Edward S. Nasuti of Lee- Simpson Associates, a DuBois engineering firm, suggested that some minor structural problems be addressed.

Nasuti also called for potentially more serious conditions to be regularly monitored.

"Generally, the building structural systems are in good condition," Nasuti said. "The building foundations are in good condition and there are no signs of settlement of the foundations."

The engineer did note some bowing of the exterior masonry walls and some structural problems with the front entrance and vestibule.

"Although visually the deflection (bowing) of the exterior masonry walls appears to be excessive, field measurements of the deflection with a transit indicated that the maximum amount of deflection is approximately three inches," Nasuti concluded.

"The exterior walls are constructed of multiple wythe brick and have a

total thickness of approximately 24 inches.

"The current level of lateral deflection of the masonry walls still results in the entire width of the masonry wall being in compression and therefore stable."

He recommended that a measurement be performed as a baseline and the deflection be regularly monitored. Nasuti also said the county should seal some wall cracks that have been caused by thermal stresses.

His report also calls for stabilizing and reinforcing timber beams at the courthouse entrance and conducting a more detailed study of the timber framing inside the courthouse's front entrance.

Major renovations were done at the courthouse in 1888 and 1934. The building consists of a two-story masonry and timber framed structure with a third floor area located in the front bell tower. The building foundation consists of native stone.

The courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, in part because of its unique architectural style, described in the National Register as "Queen Anne, late Victorian, late 19th and 20th century revivals."

Investigation of the structural problems comes at the same time the commissioners have been migrating some county offices from the courthouse to the Gunzburger Annex, a former school building at Main and Water streets that was given to the county by Time Warner Cable last year.