TRENTON, Ga. -- Crews are about three weeks behind on construction of Dade County's new courthouse, but officials say the building should be completed by the September goal.
Weather has slowed the work, but steel beams already outline the basic shape of the building.
"They've been working every good day they've had," said Dade County Executive Ted Rumley.
The present courthouse was built in the 1920s when the county had only 4,000 residents. It's not handicap-accessible, as required by federal law, and court staff say the offices and courtrooms are too small for current demands.
Moving to a new building will "be almost like getting out of jail for some of them," Mr. Rumley said.
Commissioner Robert Goff agreed.
"I think the Superior Court clerk is about ready to move into the vaults they've got covered," he said, gesturing at the block rooms already built that will house deed books and other documents.
Once the roof is installed, which is the next step in the construction, work will speed up because rain won't be as much of a factor, Mr. Goff said.
DADE COURTHOUSESize: 30,000 square feetExpected cost: $3,194,000Completion date: Sept. 8, 2010Source: Dade County Executive Ted Rumley
Despite the delays, the county's project manager, Hugh Blevins, said contractors shouldn't have a problem finishing the courthouse on time.
"We're a little behind schedule right now because of the weather but, yeah, it's doable," he said.
Mr. Rumley said the courthouse could be completed as early as late July or early August if the weather cooperates. September is a safer bet, the executive said.
"Hopefully, that's an overestimated date," he added.