The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors have been discussing ways to upgrade the building’s security for the safety of the county employees and for those who come to conduct business.
Bergland + Cram architects in Mason City conducted an initial study and drew up a design for proposed security improvements to the front entrance of the courthouse, which were presented by County Administrative Officer Tom Meyer early in November.
Doug Foreshoe, of Bergland + Cram, said the design and presentation was a way for them to make sure they were addressing the needs and concerns laid out by the county Supervisors, “…at a good value price.”
The proposed new entry would have two sets of 72-inches wide double doors with a vestibule in between. “There will be a distinct entry and exit, “ Meyer said. A metal scanner will be set up to check people before they go through the second entrance door into the courthouse. The width of the doors are necessary to meet ADA requirements. Handicap accessible push-to-enter buttons would be located both on the outside of the building and on the side walls for entrance through the second set of doors.
Other proposed improvements to the front of the Courthouse would include a bullet-resistant glaze on the front interior doors and also on the large window by the Recorder’s office due to its location on the ground level. Meyer explained that the Sheriff’s Deputy station would be equipped with a button that could immediately lock down the interior doors if a shooting incident were to happen outside the building.
The cost of this front entry project is estimated between $125,000- $140,000. The Supervisors plan to use the county’s allotment of federal pandemic relief funds to pay for the project.
In a separate project a metal scanner, with different programmable sensitivity levels, would be installed once the front entrance work is complete. “This is the same technology they use if you go to the Iowa State Fair. You get to walk in with your keys, phone, and wallet, and it doesn’t go off,” Meyer said. “Basically, we wanted something that flowed better that wasn’t going off every time somebody entered the building. This would basically detect knives, guns, anything that you could carry on you, any incendiary device.”
Meyer said that for a four-year lease agreement they were quoted $109,000, which would be around $27,000 a year. He said that if they purchased the unit outright they would still be responsible for any repairs and technology updates. But if they leased the equipment, all that would be included in the lease agreement.
Foreshoe said they are still working on the final draft for the front entryway and door access upgrades. Once those are complete they will conduct a bid letting. The project will get underway this spring with completion slated well before the primary elections.
