Work is expected to begin in early June on repointing and cleaning the exterior of the Mercer County Courthouse.

Commissioners Thursday awarded a contract to Wallace Builders, Pulaski, for $233,390 for part of the exterior restoration. They delayed approving a $967,554 contract with Keystone Waterproofing Inc., Greensburg, until details are ironed out.

Workers will shore up and clean the exterior of the courthouse, including the cupola and the porticos, said Commissioner Brian W. Shipley. The work will include cleaning bird droppings, added Commissioner Cloyd E. "Gene" Brenneman.

Work about 10 years ago failed to adequately repoint sandstone on the courthouse, said Commissioner Olivia M. Lazor. The work was supposed to last 30 years, but now needs to be done again, she said.

The exterior work will be the first phase of the courthouse restoration project. Next year, workers will tackle restoration and renovations of the inside of the courthouse, Shipley said.

A space utilization committee, headed by Shipley, is determining what is needed by the various offices in the courthouse, Brenneman said.

Plans call for upgrading heating, air conditioning, and wiring in the 91-year-old courthouse, but "we're not going through there and go with a whole new architecture," Shipley said.

"We want to bring it back to its historical beauty," Mrs. Lazor said.