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COLUMBUS—More work was recently completed on the historic Polk County Courthouse. Workers were able to repair the front gable of the building, which faces the Womack Building in Columbus.

The project, approved by the Polk County Board of Commissioners in September, included removing old siding from the building and replacing it with wood to match the building. The new material was then painted to match the building.

The cost of this project was $23,850.

Since 2000, there have been several capital projects completed at the courthouse, including:

 

• The courthouse was restored to its original 1857 design in 1999/2000. The community donated $400,000 of the $1.4 million project.
• In 2007/2008, the cupola was restored as phase 1, and the interior was renovated as phase 2 of a renovation project. The total Project Budget Ordinance was $1,546,943.
• In 2016, the retaining around the courthouse was repaired and replaced. The Project Budget Ordinance was $98,515.
• In 2019, the repaired cupola was struck by lightning and needed to be repaired. While working, a board was repaired and the gable was painted. The cost was $32,000.

 

In the last 23 years, the county has funded $2,701,308 on courthouse repairs and renovations; an additional $400,000 was spent from community donations, totaling $3,101,308.