Cut water pipe at New Hanover courthouse delays planned renovations

A broken water pipe in the New Hanover County Historic Courthouse that left a hole in the building's ornate ceiling and waterlogged carpet is going to prevent the New Hanover County commissioners from returning to downtown Wilmington anytime soon.

A contractor accidentally cut the hot water pipe two weeks ago, sending water cascading through the building's third floor and plaster crashing to the floor.

The leak left a roughly 4-by-6-foot hole in the red-brick structure's third-floor ceiling.

The atrium's wood paneling and carpet also got wet, although the extent of the damage isn't known.

On Tuesday, plaster and pieces of old, moldy wood were still dropping onto the plastic-covered carpet as crews working in the courthouse's upper levels moved heavy equipment around. Several globes on the atrium's grand chandelier also were missing and presumably broken.

Jerome Fennel, head of county Property Management, couldn't be reached Tuesday. But County Manager Bruce Shell said the contractor would be held responsible for any expenses tied to the pipe.

Replacing the damaged plaster is estimated to cost about $2,000, although it's too early to know the cleanup's total price tag.

The commissioners and the county Planning Board, which also uses the courthouse's large assembly room, have been meeting at the county's Government Center near the intersection of College Road and Market Street since June.

Officials had hoped to be back in the courthouse this month.

But the latest return date is November, assuming the cleanup is finished by then.

The old courthouse, which was built in 1892, was renovated in the late 1980s.

This summer's $325,000 project was to update the building's heating and air-conditioning equipment, including replacing ventilation ducts, and to renovate some third-floor offices for the commissioners and county clerk.

Along with hosting meetings, the Historic Courthouse is home to the Cape Fear Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Gareth McGrath: 343-2384

gareth.mcgrath@starnewsonline.com