CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cuyahoga County justice officials approved nearly $20 million in estimated repairs to the aging Justice Center on Monday, kickstarting the first projects under the county’s commitment to invest at least $161.6 million in updating the downtown courthouse complex instead of building a new one.
A four-member panel comprised of Common Pleas Administrative and Presiding Judge Michael Shaughnessy, Probate Judge Anthony Russo, Sheriff Harold Pretel and Clerk of Courts Nailah Byrd unanimously approved plans and cost estimates for five repair projects totaling an estimated $19.95 million. They range from elevator modernization and roof replacements to structural garage repairs.
Ohio law requires the group to sign off on any major construction work at the courthouse costing more than $75,000.
Matt Rymer with the county’s Department of Public Works said the five projects will soon go out for bidding under the county’s traditional design-bid-build process. Awards are expected to be announced in late fall…