Ahead of schedule: Courthouse renovation could finish in September

An unobstructed view of Kalispell’s Main Street has been restored from the second and third floors of the Flathead County Courthouse as part of a massive renovation project at the 109-year-old building.

The arched windows on the front of the building had been painted black and an office and closet squeezed into a portion of the space blocked the majestic view.

Sparkling new glass again allows visitors to spot landmarks throughout the greater downtown area.

When the work is finished, people again will walk up two grand staircases to reach those two upper floors. Sometime in the past century, the wide staircase had been replaced with two narrower staircases along the sides of the building, supported by a somewhat unattractive beam running across the open space.

The new windows are a small part of the $2.6 million project, which is running about a month ahead of schedule. Project Manager Corey Johnson of CTA Architects Engineers said the work is expected to be finished in mid-September. The contract calls for an Oct. 15 completion date. Overall, the project is 68 percent complete, he said.

No huge surprises have surfaced since construction began in February, Johnson said, which could have resulted in delays. Probably the biggest discovery that required mitigation was when workers found water cascading through the foundation of the building.

That has resulted in changes to the ground surrounding the building to alter drainage patterns and the application of a waterproof sealant (that resembles the material used as a spray-on bedliner) to the lower portion of some exterior walls that later will be hidden by dirt.

“For this vintage of a building, we’re pleased with how it’s progressing,” Johnson said.

A goal of the remodeling effort is to give the building another 100 years of life, Johnson said.

Work is occurring on all three levels of the building, as well as in the attic and tower.

Part of the project includes cleaning of all the exterior brick and stone and grout repair work.

Interior paint colors were selected from a Victorian color palette and are designed to complement, but not overpower, the historic wood that’s remaining in the building. In places where the original wood was damaged and required replacement, the new wood has been crafted to mimic the historic pieces.

One of the historic radiators will remain on each floor of the courthouse to help maintain the historic flavor of the property. The heating and cooling system for the building has been fully revamped.

Money for the project has come from several sources, including $2.2 million the county commissioners set aside during the last seven years; $210,000 from the Flathead County Museum; a $126,300 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for new windows; and a $50,000 grant from the state Historic Preservation Office to pay for the restoration of historic bookcases and cabinets. The courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.