HOLLIDAYSBURG — The Blair County commissioners are hopeful that a newly approved third phase for the multi-year courthouse roof restoration project will finally address any lingering issues.

The commissioners agreed to a $345,000 contract with David M. Maines Associates Inc. of Lewistown to improve the flat sections of roof on the modern side of the building.

The two previous phases focused on repairing portions of the original portion of the courthouse.

Phase I was completed in 2019, while phase II work wrapped up in 2025.

Both prior phases were done at a total cost of about $1.3 million.

According to Public Works/Facilities Director Nick Burket, county staff performed thermal imaging surveys of the roof to identify which areas are leaking water into the interior of the building.

Those problem areas will be addressed during the upcoming phase III work.

Phase III will include installing a new rubberized undercoating on the roof, lightning protection, anti-slip pads and other associated work.

According to Burket, the new sections of roof are covered by a 30-year warranty.

Commissioner Laura Burke estimated that the third phase will be completed by the end of 2026 without impeding operations inside the courthouse, although some additional noise is anticipated.

“With it being a rubber roof, it’s not as noisy or interrupting as the (previous) work we did,” Burke said.

Burke said that county employees have experienced continual issues with leaks, some of which even affected furnishings inside the building with unwanted moisture penetration.

“We’ve had computers that were damaged and other things, and you don’t see those costs,” Burke said, “so it’s a big price tag, but it’s worth it when you think about the disruption that the leaks have caused to work on the fourth floor.”

That includes office space used by the commissioners, District Attorney’s Office staff and the Juvenile Probation office.

“We were really happy with this contractor on phases I and II, so we’re hoping to have a similar outcome with phase III,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.