Lee County Courthouse Sinking

The Lee County Courthouse is literally sinking into the ground, and now county commissioners are facing a million dollar repair job.

Several sections of the foundation, which are holding up the courthouse, are failing. Engineers have determined that a drainage system is not keeping water away from the building.

It was installed about five years ago during a renovation project. Inside the historic courthouse, which was built in 1897, large cracks have appeared on the walls and support arches.

Later this month Lee County Commissioners will start looking for a contractor to shore up the foundation. State grant money will fund most of the work, which will begin in December and is targeted to be completed by April.

County officials say they can not go after the original contractor who did the renovation project because the work is not longer under warranty and the Statute of Limitations has expired.