Renovations to the historic Cumberland County Courthouse are nearing completion, with county officials expecting work to wrap up over the next few weeks.
Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster said the project is now in its final stages, having begun nearly four years ago after a water leak caused significant structural damage. Foster said the renovation consisted of repairing the roof trusses, installing a new roof and windows, and a new interior and HVAC system.
“When people come in, it’s gonna look like a completely different building,” Foster said. “We’ve kept the character of the old building. We’ve actually made it a little more. We’ve actually exposed some brick walls that were hidden under plaster and things like that, but it’s a complete renovation of the building.”
Foster said crews are now working through the final “punch list” items, with some offices already preparing to move back. Foster said the county received a $2 million grant from the state to help pay for the estimated $6 million renovation.
“We’ve had, you know, from temporary shoring to, to getting it, you know, to saving this building,” Foster said. ” This is a valuable building. It’s 1905, and we want to keep it in its character.’
With the project nearly complete, Foster said he is eager to return to the renovated space and share it with the public.
“Very excited to move back in there,” Foster said. “We’ve gone through all these years. You know, there’s been a set of offices that have never left this building. So there’s been jackhammering and sawing and everything and things going on for the last few years. So everybody’s ready to see that come to an end.”
Foster said the county is expecting to host a ribbon-cutting once the renovations are complete and welcomes the public to come check out the building’s new look.
