Courthouse project update: More rain, mud

More rain. More mud.

That's been the story surrounding work in recent weeks on the construction of Union County's new courthouse in Jonesboro.

An update on the project was shared at last Friday morning's regular meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners.

The meeting was at the community center in Jonesboro.

Courthouse construction project manager Mike Smith reported that during the period from Dec. 2 through Dec. 16, 6 more inches of rain had been recorded at the site, along with 12 inches of mud.

Even with the wet and muddy conditions, all footings and column piers were poured and gravel fill had been placed across the whole basement area.

Smith shared further information in his latest update on the project:

The northwest corner and west half of the north basement wall and a portion of the north basement wall section poured 128 yards. This left a 16-foot opening to allow trucks, equipment and materials to have access.

The total yards of concrete which had been poured through Dec. 16 stood at 1,397.

Column footings and piers have been poured in the basement area.

Work had started to apply waterproofing and foam materials to the foundation.

Burke Excavating began digging foundation areas for installation of perimeter drains.

Footings for a sally port had been poured. Walls were to be poured this week.

Steel column delivery was set for Monday, Dec. 19. Three semi loads were expected Monday, with three more on Dec. 20 and steel decking on Dec. 21. Grover Mays Construction will be the steel erector for the project.

Smith shared that the following work is coming up:

Foundations to the south of the basement wall will be excavated and poured. The foundation perimeter drains and waterproofing membranes and perimeter drains will be installed along the exterior of the south wall and then fill will be compacted into the area in preparation for foundation walls to support the first-floor slab.

Steel columns will begin to be installed at the basement level to support the steel floor trusses and floor pans at the main floor level. Pans eventually will be covered by a six-inch concrete floor.

Other Business

In other business at Friday morning's meeting:

A recommendation was approved by county board chairman Randy Lambdin to appoint a financial committee.

Lambdin, county commissioner Don Denny, county treasurer Darren Bailey and state's attorney Tyler Edmonds were appointed to the committee.

One or two more members likely will be named to the committee.

Lambdin said the committee will focus on such issues as streamlining the county budget process.

Commissioner Denny reported that the sale of the Sunshine Inn community center building in Anna should be closed this week.

The building, which had been owned by the county, was sold at a recent auction. The building was purchased by the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Anna.

Commissioner Denny also reported that discussion continues about the development of the county's Pine Ridge Lake site west of Jonesboro.

The commissioners approved a $50,000 payment for a longstanding county interfund loan.