I really wish I had the time for an in-depth photo essay of the Luzerne County Courthouse.
I was shocked by what I saw this week-- a generally shabby building with water damage on the upper floors and the rotunda.
Now, this is a very old building, and old buildings need a lot of tender lovin' care. Steps have been taken to reduce the water infiltration, but the damage has been done. There's a net inside the dome to catch falling plaster. some murals are badly scarred.
It will cost a fortune to fix, but is there any other choice? The building is a gem. Irreplaceable. The county has to get a handle on these problems right now, before it becomes even more costly to fix.
Water issues aside, I saw a tired old building that wasn't as clean as it once was. This place used to sparkle, with polished railings and shiny floors. I don't know what happened and who is responsible. It just makes me sad.
I checked with one of the courthouse veterans, a man who's in the building every day. His feelings were the same as mine. Neglect. It has to be fixed, and in a hurry.