Anyone who has visited the upper floors of the Brown County Courthouse recently may have noticed that the the outside balcony is off limits to the public.

Years of weather and exposure of the Brown County Courthouse has taken its toll on the old concrete railing that surrounds the balcony, but repairs are about to get underway.

Courthouse Maintenance Director Keith Allen gave a report to Brown County Commissioners today regarding the repair project.

The county has had special rubber molds created of the balusters that need to be replaced on the balcony area.  These molds will be used to form new non-aggregate concrete balusters to replace 28 of the 66 existing ones.  Reconstruction of the bottom railing of the balcony will also be required as it has started to deteriorate in several places.

The county plans to start the reconstruction in about 2 weeks on one section of the railing.

The state Historical Commission has looked at a sample replacement baluster for approval so the repairs can move forward.