Michigan Courthouse To See Elevator Construction

Keweenaw County, Michigan, is set to begin construction of an elevator in the courthouse during the second week of January, The Daily Mining Gazette reports. On December 15, the Board of Commissioners conducted a special meeting to open bids for the project, which has been a topic of discussion and planning since the beginning of 2023. Two bids were received for the project with Wuebben Construction’s coming in lower at US$171,380. The project has been discussed for a number of years, but the Board received money in January 2023 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The initial plan for the elevator estimated the project at US$200,000, with funding to come from an extra voted millage for buildings and grounds. There has been a concern that the county could be sued for the courthouse not being compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In June, the board voted to accept the option with the elevator to be installed on the side of the steps, and into a hallway that will be created by constructing a wall in the courtroom.