NEW CUMBERLAND — Hancock County commissioners are moving ahead with one planned improvement to the county courthouse, but will have to hold off on another one for the time being.

As part of their meeting Thursday, commissioners gave the go-ahead for county officials to apply for a grant through the West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority for the replacement of windows in the original portion of the courthouse.

According to the letter of support, to be submitted with the grant application “The building’s windows, some of which are decades old, are in need of replacement. Many of the windows will not close or open properly, have bad seals and have moisture condensation between the panes. Some windows have plastic placed over them to provide acceptable insulation and comfort from the elements. Others have broken hardware that prevents them from being locked. Overall, the condition of the windows through the Courthouse creates and inconsistent environment in the Courthouse.”

All three commissioners approved to the application proposal, which did not specify a dollar amount for the project.

A second project would have applied for funding for repairs to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of the old portion of the courthouse. No motion was made by any of the commissioners, with Commission President Eron Chek later explaining the plans did not fit within the parameters of the grant program.

“The other project did not qualify,” Chek said of the HVAC plans.

A copy of the letter which would have been included had the proposal moved forward, noted the building’s air conditioning system is “significantly outdated” had failed “resulting in extreme indoor temperatures, reduced air quality, and safety concerns for both the public and staff.”

According to an online archive of American courthouses, compiled by John Deacon, the older portion of the Hancock County Courthouse, located at 102 North Court St. in New Cumberland, was designed and constructed from 1920 to 1921 in a Neo-Classical style by the King Lumber Co.

It is a two-story rough stone structure.

The more modern courthouse annex was built from 1969 to 1970, with Val Curtis serving as architect, and Trushel Construction Co. and contractor on the project.

chowell@weirtondailytimes.com