Asbestos work forces courthouse closure

SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Courthouse will be closed for at least three weeks so asbestos and vermiculite can be removed from the century-old building.

The closure is forecasted to start the week of April 18, but that date is contingent upon how much time it takes to move out much of the building’s contents.

Asbestos removal has been an issue throughout the courthouse remodeling project, although it’s been dealt with in phases and where construction is occurring. The county commission is now opting to abate asbestos and vermiculite in one fell swoop to take advantage of economy of scale and save time.

It’s also being done to safeguard courthouse employees and the public.

“We’re not going to take any chances,” Commission Chairman Lewie Rich said on Thursday.

Based on air quality monitoring conducted by Kyron Environmental of Spokane, Wash., the building is safe.

“It’s actually not a health emergency. We just don’t want it to become one,” said Commissioner Cornel Rasor.

The abrupt change of plan comes after vermiculite, which contains asbestos, was discovered below a plaster ceiling on the building’s second floor. County officials had been advised that the ceiling sealed off the material.

Project officials contend the material is not dangerous if it is left undisturbed, but some courthouse employees remain wary and are discomforted by the scant information they are given.

Exposure to asbestos increases risks of developing lung disease, including a deadly form of cancer.

Adding to the unease are claims from the public that offending material is not being contained while the work is being done, an allegation county officials flatly deny.

Commissioner Mike Nielsen said air quality monitoring indicates the building is safe to occupy despite the discovery of vermiculite.

“There’s no immediate threat because nothing’s been disturbed,” he said.

The first floor of the building has been given a clean bill of health and is scheduled to be open today. Over the weekend, abatement crews will be cleaning office equipment and furniture on the second floor. Air quality monitoring will follow.

If air quality permits, the courthouse would reopen on Monday afternoon and remain open until the end of the week or perhaps longer depending on how the relocation of 11 years worth of case files and necessary office equipment goes.

“I don’t think we can get everything moved in a week,” said 1st District Judge Steve Verby.

Meanwhile, judges will be triaging their caseloads and deputy clerks will be rearranging calendars and dockets. Secure storage for the case files will also be sorted out.

During the closure, driver’s licensing operations will be conducted at county offices in Priest River, Sheriff Daryl Wheeler said.

But it’s not entirely clear where court hearings will be held during the closure. Leading contenders include the Bonner County Administration Building, Sandpoint City Hall and Sandpoint Community Hall.

It’s also not clear how staffing levels will be affected during the closure. Some officials predict little or no change, while others anticipate reduced staffing.

Nielsen has said he would support paid furloughs for affected workers.

Magistrate Court Judge Barbara Buchanan expressed optimism that the challenges posed by a shuttered courthouse could be overcome.

“Look at Japan; look at New Orleans. This is an issue we can all deal with,” she said. “Everybody works together.”