Old Will County Courthouse Demolition Cost Could Top $2.7 Million

At their Thursday, January 19, meeting, the Will County Board awarded a contract worth $168,000 to Kluber, Inc., for  engineering services related to the demolition of the former Will County Courthouse at 14 W. Jefferson Street in Joliet. Kluber’s services will identify specific issues related to the demolition project, such as asbestos removal and disposal, thereby simplifying the bidding process for the work.

The total cost of the demolition and site restoration is currently $2.7 million, but that number is probably on the way up. County officials say potentially additional costs could arise if the City of Joliet requires the county to build new sidewalks, replace street lighting, and insure proper drainage around what would then be a vacant lot. As of now, none of those matters have been discussed with Joliet officials.

In other business, the board also approved the installation of license plate reading cameras on county roads by way of intergovernmental agreements with the villages of Crete and Peotone and the City of Joliet.  Such cameras are used by law enforcement to track vehicles involved in criminal activity.

The board also approved a special use permit for a truck terminal that would operate on vacant property on Manhattan Road between Washington Street and Rt. 30.