The Carbon County Commissioners agreed Thursday to move forward with a feasibility study regarding the Carbon County Courthouse renovation project.

Boyle Construction Management has been retained to complete the study. The company will charge its standard rates, which vary for $30 to $150 per hour, depending on the work, plus material costs. MKSD Architects, at a cost of $9,500, and Snyder Hoffman Associates, $4,440, will assist in the study.

“What’s going to happen there, they’re going to basically give us a menu of things that we can pick from that we want to do,” Commissioner Rocky Ahner said.

“One of the biggest things is the HVAC system that contains the fresh air intake also. That will be covered under the (American Rescue Plan). So, everybody is aware of that, this project for that, will not cost anything to the county. It would come out of that $12 million that we have.”

The feasibility study will include architectural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing recommendations relative to the courthouse renovation project.

Ahner said the heating and air conditioning upgrades are a necessity, but other work needs to be done.

“But it could be things like upgrading handicap accessible bathrooms - ADA issues. Whatever they come up with, they’re going to give their recommendation,” Ahner said.

“Now, we can only afford X-amount of dollars. If we have to use that $12 million on there, I think we’re willing to use that for the courthouse and if there’s anything above it - but we don’t want to go in excess and stress the taxpayers either. We want to use that money efficiently.”

It could be spring of 2022 until the project begins.

“Until they do their review, it’s going to be a couple of months. … I would hope, myself, by spring of next year that something will be started over there,” Ahner added.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said the board is getting ready to accept bids for elevator replacement.

He recommended that Boyle also look at the Jim Thorpe Area School District administration building to see what would be needed to convert that space if the county would buy it.