BEATRICE - The coronavirus may have closed off business and government buildings for a time this year, but exterior projects go on.

The Gage County Courthouse is getting a touch-up …this time on the southeast corner of the historic structure built in 1891. Gage County Building and Grounds Supervisor Dave Jones says that includes removing waterproofing to allow the stone to breathe.

Masonry Construction Inc. of Bellevue has been doing the work on various sections of the courthouse exterior. To do the southeast corner, it costs about $43,000.
Josh Holoubek, who’s was doing the work from a platform, says the company does a lot of courthouses and state buildings and is currently doing preservation at the Nebraska State Capitol building. The company did a project at North Platte and has bid on work at the Saline County Courthouse in Wilber.

On the Gage County Courthouse, the company has restored the west side , the southwest corner and completed some exterior repair along the east side. Jones says southeast corner is the most extensive. Some repair work will also be needed on the courthouse tower, mainly the south face.

Once all work has been completed, Jones says it should be several years before any significant repairs are needed.
The Gage County Courthouse, which recently came out of lockdown because of the pandemic, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.