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General Services Director Dean-T'estimated the cost for <br />demolition would be $430,000, which included disposal. <br />Commissioner Adams referred to a recent Historic Resources <br />Advisory Committee meeting at which the future of the old <br />courthouse was discussed and the Committee voted to continue the <br />National Register of Historic Places procedure. The Committee is <br />very concerned about imminent destruction and continued <br />deterioration of the building. <br />Director Dean explained that water is seeping through the <br />mortar in the bricks and that two sump pumps in the basement are <br />operated constantly. <br />Commissioner Macht contended that the courthouse could not be <br />considered as one unit and asserted that the Historical Society's <br />interest was solely in the original building. <br />Chairman Tippin felt clarification was necessary and invited <br />comments from Ms. Short. _ <br />Carolyn Short, executive director of the Indian River County <br />Historical Society, recalled that when construction of the New <br />Courthouse was approved, the Historical Society was charged with <br />suggesting adaptive uses for the Old Courthouse, and how and where <br />to get funding. Recently the Board again charged the Historical <br />Society with the same duties. In the meantime, they have started <br />the procedure to have the Courthouse placed on the National <br />Register and are requesting six weeks to complete the process. <br />They would then come back to report the details and present the <br />options to the Board. Once on the National Register, demolition of <br />the building would not be precluded, but it would become eligible <br />for grants, other funding, and tax credits. <br />Discussion ensued regarding staff's recommendation to <br />advertise the property for sale for 90 days to determine interest, <br />and Administrator Chandler saw no conflict with the Historical <br />Society's proposal. The Board has been approached over the years <br />by various groups to use the building, but there have been no bona <br />fide offers. He stated that staff's greatest concern was <br />deterioration once the building was vacated and closed. <br />Commissioner Eggert believed that the Historical Society had <br />interest only in the original, center portion of the Courthouse. <br />Commissioner Macht suggested that the electricity be left on <br />in order to continue operating the sump pumps. <br />Commissioner Bird agreed that it should be left on for safety. <br />purposes, without running the air conditioning. In <br />N6 <br />October 11, 1994 <br />ROOK PAGE 0 <br />A <br />