Posted by Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster:

I have been asked quite a bit about the renovations and repairs to the courthouse, and I am happy to report that the work is on track and on time.  The update will take a little time to read, but hopefully it’s worth it.

This project began in September 2022, when a water leak led to the discovery of significant structural damage in the large courtroom. A subsequent inspection by a structural engineering firm found major damage to two large oak roof trusses, making the original 1905 section of the courthouse unsafe and requiring it to be closed to the public.

As a result, several offices were relocated. The County Clerk’s Office was permanently moved to 1760 South Main Street, while my office, the Register of Deeds, Human Resources, and Finance continued operating from the courthouse. The Veterans Services Office was temporarily relocated to the Milo Lemert Building across the street and will return once renovations are complete.

Beginning in November 2022, temporary shoring work was installed to stabilize the building. This included six structural columns designed to safely transfer roof loads without penetrating existing concrete floors, a decision that reduced both cost and disruption. Additional work was done to support damaged trusses and ensure the building remained safe.

In December 2022, a full building envelope and roof assessment was approved, and shoring work continued into January 2023, when inspections began. In April 2023, WJE Engineers & Architects and Upland Design Group were formally engaged to design permanent structural solutions and renovation work. These firms had initially been brought in on an emergency basis to assess safety, and once the building was stabilized, work shifted toward long-term repairs.

In May 2023, we received welcome news from Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senator Paul Bailey, who helped secure a $2 million state grant to assist with courthouse repairs. Given the estimated cost of $5 to $6 million at the time, this support was significant and speaks to the strong representation Cumberland County has in Nashville.

By December 2023, engineering was complete, bids were taken, and $2,281,199 was approved for structural repairs, roof replacement, and building envelope work. The original estimate for this phase was approximately $4 million. This work was completed on time in late January of 2025.

In January 2024, funding was approved for the renovation phase, including a complete HVAC replacement. The low bid of $2,999,750 was awarded to Stubbs Construction, a local firm. The original estimate for this phase was as high as $3.9 million. Thanks to conservative budgeting, existing funds, debt service reserves, and the state grant, all work has been completed without taking on new debt.

Stubbs Construction started in February of 2025, and is on schedule to complete renovations in late spring or early summer.  Most of the original 1905 section is complete, and renovation work is underway to the addition.  We will host an open house so the public can see the work that has been done. This project reflects careful planning, fiscal responsibility, and a long-term commitment to preserving one of Cumberland County’s most important historic buildings for future generations.  It is something we can all be proud of.