Construction worker Rich Wise cleans up at the end of the day as the project to replace sidewalks and improve drainage around the basement of the Butler County Courthouse continues.

Before new pipe could be laid around the Butler County Courthouse, the foundation needed shored up.

John Campbell, director of county facilities and operations, explained the problem delayed the $237,500 project, which is intended to prevent further water damage.

“There was an issue of a lack of foundation,” Campbell said.

He said French drain was installed and concrete poured where mainly dirt lay around the building, which dates back to 1885.

What did not cause a delay was working around the original tunnel leading from the first county prison that was built around 1900 and replaced in the 1950s to the courthouse.

“We knew it would be an obstacle,” Campbell said.

The foundation work impacts the cost and timetable. The county commissioners Wednesday approved a job completion deadline from the end of this month to July 31.

Campbell said the work should be done before then.

“Hopefully, they will make it before the end of July,” he said.

They also approved a $7,808 change order from Uhl Construction of Allison Park for the underpinning.

Along with the addition of new underdrains, rainwater will be rerouted into a catch basin.

Over the years, water damaged basement walls and flooded the basement floor.

Uhl also is installing a new exterior to the county government center in a $3.5 million project. Campbell said that project should still start on time within the next few weeks despite the same contractor performing the work.

Both the courthouse and government center fixes are funded through the 2016 borrowing of $5.8 million.