A building at 116 S. Pine St. that houses Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services offices will be demolished to create more space needed for the Courthouse addition project. The DHHS building is just east of the Courthouse, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – The Hall County Commissioners will accept bids for the demolition of the old Hall County Jail building at 130 S. Pine St. and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) building at 116 S. Pine St.
The buildings are just east of the Hall County Courthouse and need to be torn down as part of the courthouse addition project.
Bids must be submitted by 8:30 a.m. Dec. 17 and will be opened at the Hall County Board of Commissioners meeting on Dec. 17.
Hall County Commissioner Chairman Ron Peterson said the state is seeking office space for staff working in the building at 116 S. Pine St. He said that the county is willing to contribute money toward office space rent for the staff.
Commissioners opened bids for asbestos abatement at the two buildings on Dec. 3. Commissioners awarded the bid to B2 Environmental in Omaha by a 7-0 vote. The company will charge $19,000 for asbestos abatement at the DHHS building, $4,500 for windows at the DHHS building, $9,000 for asbestos abatement at the old jail and $2,200 for windows at the old jail.
Commissioners are also looking at changing the address of the Hall County Administration Building. The current address is 121 S. Pine St. Because one block on Pine Street will be closed as part of the Courthouse addition project, getting a new address has been suggested. Commissioners suggested having an address on Sycamore Street, because the main entrance to the Administration Building on the east side is along Sycamore Street. Grand Island/Hall County Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity will be contacted for suggestions regarding the address.
In another matter, the Commissioners voted 7-0 to upgrade requirements for “skid shed” buildings. A “skid shed” is a type of shed built on a foundation of large wooden beams called “skids” which allows the structure to be moved by attaching chains to the skids and dragging it. The skids act as a mobile base for the structure. “Skid sheds” are used for storage of various items such as lawn equipment.
Hall County Building Inspector Ryan Grubbs wrote a letter to Commissioners stating that skid sheds under 300 square feet may be secured to the ground by perimeter foundations, concrete grade beam foundations, or shed manufacturer supplied ground anchors.
Skid sheds over 300 square feet up to 625 square feet must be secured in place to prevent movement due to wind loads. Approved methods of securing are perimeter foundations and concrete grade beams. Ground anchors are not allowed.
Skid sheds and accessory buildings 120 square feet and larger require building permits. All skid sheds and accessory buildings, regardless of size, are required to be securely anchored to the ground, Grubbs wrote.
Commissioners heard a report from Karin Robles, juvenile diversion director for Hall County. Robyn Hassel, diversion office manager, accompanied Robles. Robles told Commissioners that the county is required to have a comprehensive juvenile services plan. Commissioner Pam Lancaster noted that the county has a successful juvenile services program. It was noted that a Hall County group called H3C has been disbanded, and that group had worked with the juvenile services plan. This is the first time that the juvenile diversion office has prepared the juvenile services plan. The plan is for 2025 to 2030. Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the plan.
