County finishes $3M renovation

BRADENTON — A $2.9 million renovation project at the historic Manatee County Courthouse is complete.

Structural and aesthetic work on the 100-year-old building took 15 months, according to county officials. Specific work included a new roof and windows. Part of its brick facade was also replaced. The courthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is on Manatee Avenue West in downtown Bradenton.

“I couldn't be more pleased with the renovations to our building,” Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller R.B. “Chips” Shore says in a release.

County officials say the improvements to the building will also result in energy savings. For example, the new UV-protected, impact-resistant windows on the west side of the building earned energy credits from Florida Power & Light. The new roof earned energy credits, too. In total, county officials say energy costs at the building will drop at least 50%, from $14,000-$17,000 per month three years ago to $6,000-$7,500 per month now.

The project involved about 80 construction and related employees, the county says.