Here’s when that Moss Justice, family court and more York County work will open.
Jails, courts and county offices may not be the most pleasant destinations for non-employees. But in York County, they are getting nicer.
Key county buildings from a 2015 bond referendum are nearing full openings. Jim Britton with construction consultant Cumming updated York County Council on Dec. 16 on progress. York County voters approved a more than $89 million bond in 2015 to pay for a variety of public projects.
Here’s the latest on some set to open soon:
Moss Justice Center
Workers are moving furniture this week and putting the final bows on improvements at Moss Justice Center.
“This was actually the first project we bid,” Britton said. “And we knew it was probably one of the most complicated projects that I’ve ever been involved with.”
It’s been almost 1,100 days of work — more than three years.
“That’s four phases,” Britton said. “Very complicated. And we’re nearing the end.”
Judicial and sheriff’s office side renovations should be ready for inspection by year’s end. Then comes the front entrance.
“That will be the last piece,” Britton said. “But it also should be complete by end of year.”
Occupancy should come the first week of January. Along with the modern look of new space at Moss Justice, the project also involved considerable security features one might expect from a building that has a jail, courtrooms and law enforcement space. There are exit only doors in places, near a main secure entrance.
“This is a control point,” Britton said. “We’ve got some elevated grades so that we can’t drive a vehicle through it, some passive security items that blend in.”
Starting in January, visitors and staff will see a vastly different space.
“Everything’s being renovated and new, except for some of the existing judges’ desks,” Britton said. “And that was refinished to match everything else.”
Family court
If it’s what’s on the inside that counts, then the new York County family court sits in pretty good shape.
“It’s very close to being complete,” Britton said. “We’re actually testing out all the life safety and security items, and also doing punch list inspections. So the interior of the building is near completion.”
Yet it’s more than just what’s inside the building.
“The exterior, unfortunately, we’ve had issues,” Britton said.
There have been delays getting cornice material on site from subcontractors. The court can’t have its certificate of occupancy inspection until the material is on the building. Britton said the material is there now, and workers started moving furniture into the building on Monday.
The project should be complete by mid-January.
The exterior delays are more that just appearance.
“Without being able to move into this facility, we can’t finish building two — we actually can’t even start — building two of the Heckle components,” Britton said.
Heckle Renovations
Renovations to the county office complex on Heckle Boulevard involve three projects. An office with probation and parole, health department and similar services is about a third complete. It should be entirely complete by mid-January.
The next building should be about halfway done by the end of the year.
“The balance of (that building) can’t be started until the family court is occupied. And (the next building), 100% cannot be occupied until we move the court system into the new family court.”
Contractors of the family court project have been notified twice they will be responsible for all damages related to the delay.
Crews are replacing roofs on all three buildings. The site houses numerous county services including veterans affairs and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services.
The Budget
Kevin Madden, assistant county manager, said the bond projects in total will be complete under budget compared to available funds from bond sales.
“We’re going to be able to finish in the black for all the bond projects, and have some additional money,” Madden said.
The projects will cost $1 million or more above the initial listed bond amount, but the county took money from bond sales and invested it. Proceeds will cover the costs, Madden said. There were cost changes for and against staying under budget he said, the biggest one a $1 million data center in the government center building.
“That was unexpected, a last minute change,” Madden said. “That’s been the single biggest driver of any of the budget variances that we’ve experienced.”
