By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — A temporary structural reinforcement has been added to a section of the Kosciusko County Justice Building this week after part of an entrance on the east side collapsed a week ago.
The precautionary reinforcement involves an exterior window area on the building’s north side near the entrance of the Sheriff’s Office.
County Commissioner Cary Groninger talked with News Now Warsaw on Thursday about some of the steps being taken following the collapse.
He did not say when the exterior reinforcement was added, but crews on Friday morning were extending the amount of perimeter fencing near the sidewalk on the north side of the building.
Groninger said they still don’t know what triggered the collapse and are taking steps to assess the entire building’s structural integrity.
So far, the county has brought in contractors, a structural engineer, and a forensic engineer, Groninger said. Thursday.
We’re just trying to make sure it’s not a systemic problem in other parts of the building to make sure it’s safe,” Groninger said.
“There are some people who have concerns … We’re empathetic to that. There’s people that use that door, and we want to make sure everyone feels safe in their work environment.
Debris from the collapse has not yet been removed, and Groninger said they hope to have it cleaned up early next week.
He said he was thankful that nobody was injured in the collapse.
The door serves as an exit for employees of the prosecutor’s office and is north of the building’s main entrance.
Several offices were closed Friday after the collapse, but those reopened Tuesday after the holiday weekend.
