Geneva courthouse in line for $1.5 million safety upgrade

A small fire at the historic Third Street Courthouse in Geneva could erupt into a blaze 20 times larger than the initial spark before the first drops of water ever begin extinguishing it, according to a safety assessment by the Geneva Fire Department.

Deputy Chief Mark Einwich painted that doomsday scenario Tuesday for a committee of Kane County Board members considering a $1.5 million makeover for the 150-year-old building.

Einwich said the courthouse is probably the busiest public building in the city. Courthouse staff said there were 170,647 users of the building in 2014. That resulted in 25 to 30 calls for an ambulance.

“We have not had any significant incidents other than an occasional burned out light that causes some smoke,” Einwich said. “We would hope there would never be any, but that shouldn't preclude this body from planning to make sure the courthouse can be maintained in its historic condition.”

Achieving that means implementing spending money on the building to a degree the county board backed away from the last time a makeover was discussed in 2011. Back then, adding safety features, including a major elevator expansion, totaled about $1.6 million. But this time, the county's finances may be in the most comfortable position yet to move toward construction.

The old courthouse contains nine courtrooms, the Child Advocacy Center and space for the county's foreclosure mediation program. And the fire safety and elevator improvements are being packaged with computer upgrades and an enhanced jury room space, drawing the support of Chief Judge Judy Brawka.

“I envision, as I'm sure you do as well, the Third Street Courthouse still has a long life ahead of it,” Brawka told the committee. “This is an improvement for a generation, if not longer.”

An engineer estimated the building may last another 50 to 100 years.

Drew Frasz, who was recently voted into a second term as vice chairman of the county board by his peers, also backs the project.

“The installation of a fire alarm is the only major life safety project in the building's history,” Frasz said. “Once the discussion becomes public, it opens us up to a stronger case for liability if something ever happens.”

The committee approved $1.5 million worth of upgrades. The full county board must agree for the project to move forward.