Garage area to be enlarged on south side of the courthouse

​YORK – When the courthouse was built, back in the 1980s, some garage bays with overhead doors were installed on the south side. The interesting thing about the architecture is there is a very large overhang which extends to the south, with nothing underneath it – thereby creating wasted space.

​Now, the south side garage area will be enlarged with a wall to be installed at the edge of that overhang, which will provide a considerable amount of much-needed garage space for maintenance and the sheriff’s department.
The maintenance department uses the space for doing all types of work and housing equipment. The sheriff’s department uses their space for transporting individuals to and from the jail, so they can be placed in cruisers while inside. There is also some equipment housed there.
The extension would also allow space to house a county-owned vehicle which otherwise sits outside in the elements.
The old garage doors will be removed, with new ones to be installed in the southernmost, new wall.
The commissioners toured the area this week with Cal Friesen, courthouse maintenance director. Friesen will design the project and they will put it out for specs from local contractors. Commissioner Randy Obermier reminded the other commissioners if the project exceeds $50,000, they will have to take formal bids.
The commissioners plan to use ARPA/federal COVID relief funds to pay for the project.