Five-year inspection finds minor masonry and window issues; board seeks 5-to-10-year maintenance plan

A five-year building inspection of the Winnebago County courthouse found mostly cosmetic wear and a set of maintenance issues the county should plan to address over five to ten years, the inspector told the board.

Inspector Dave Randall reported hairline cracks in stone joints, some inclusions and areas where stone or mortar is flaking. Window gaskets on upper windows are aging and some gaskets are coming loose; the inspector recommended recaulking windows and replacing worn gaskets. Glass-block areas are deteriorating in places and the inspector suggested options ranging from replacement with clear, energy-efficient blocks to restoring openable windows for improved ventilation and appearance.

Randall recommended routine cleaning of dirty stonework (a cleaning product that reactivates with rain was discussed) and proposed targeted tuckpointing and joint repairs to prevent moisture intrusion that could lead to larger repairs. He advised the county to assemble a five- to ten-year plan to spread maintenance costs and avoid larger future bills. "Everything looks pretty good right now, but we need to keep up on the maintenance so we have small bills instead of huge bills," Randall said.

Board members asked for the inspector and county staff to develop cost estimates and priorities; county staff (Kevin and the inspector) said they would meet to draft a prioritized plan, including cost estimates and timelines for items such as window gasket replacement, tower caulking and repairs to glass-block areas.

Provenance (excerpted from meeting audio): five-year inspection presentation and Q&A across segments ~4543.27 to ~5542.87 seconds, including detailed observations and recommended next steps.