Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Work has begun on renovations of the roof at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
This is a capital maintenance project at a cost of $1.2 million, will affect motorized traffic and is expected to last 16 weeks.
A contractor is expected to continue the roof work through May 27, weather permitting. During this time, Pepper St. SE will be closed to through traffic between Main St. and First St.
Parking lots along Pepper St. and access to the courthouse parking garage will remain open but must be accessed from either end of Pepper St.
Pedestrian access immediately adjacent to Pepper St. will also be closed while work is taking place overhead. However, the covered pedestrian route along the courthouse building will remain open.
The road and sidewalk closures will remain in place overnight.
This past week, the county’s board of supervisors approved temporary parking on Pepper Street to provide additional spaces for courthouse users. The county will lease 0.322 acres, directly behind the Blue Ridge Timberwrights location, for up to six months at a price of $4,500.
In other matters, supervisors approved a new five-year lease term with the Eastern Montgomery Community Foundation to use athletic fields near Shawsville Middle School.
Supervisors also approved spending $17,165 for a technology upgrade to the circuit courtroom.

