Thanks to Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal, CAO Project Manager Travis Smith and Public Works, you the taxpayers are safe, at no extra cost and I wanted to recognize the County because such news also deserves headlines

 

(Photo: John Chiv)

The idea for me to do this article came out of a conversation with Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal and Travis  Smith, Humboldt CAO Project Manager for the County of Humboldt.

I would also like to thank Humboldt CAO Elishia Hayes and Humboldt County Public Information Specialist Cati Gallardo for their help in expediting the process.

I previously covered projects by the ADA compliance team and other changes at the Courthouse.

Travis Smith summarized, the 4th street entrance improvements which included, "This project included replacing the accessible parking stall in the Fourth Street parking lot adjacent to the building with an ADA compliant van accessible stall, replacing the aging moisture barrier located between the parking lot asphalt and the ceiling of the Office of Emergency Services located directly below. The project replaced the accessible route linking the building entrance to the public right of way on the Fourth Street side of the courthouse as well as replaced the problematic outward swinging entrance and exit doors located in the Fourth Street security vestibule with electronic sliding doors similar to the ones used on the Fifth Street side of the facility. Decorative security retaining wall type bollards designed to prevent vehicles from driving into the security vestibule were installed around the newly constructed accessible route and Fourth Street parking lot. This project included painting and flooring replacement on the ground floor hall between the security vestibule and the Sheriff’s Office lobby. "

Those of you who use the 5th street entrance would have noticed a secure gated area. That was a project that was completed a few years ago by Public Works in an attempt to limit public access to the space below the stairs and to also serve as a secure employee bike storage area.

Both these projects ended up having added benefits at no extra cost. Sheriff Honsal identified vulnerabilities which included the 4th street entrance and 5th street entrance. At no extra cost, both Public Works and the Humboldt County ADA compliance team incorporated ideas and design that helps with maintenance issues and public safety.

The gated area on 5th street acts a deterrent for people lurking and camping out. There is less trash and bodily fluids. No one trying to light fires under the enclosed area. 

On the 4th street side, people cannot drive up the sidewalk and especially with the barrier cannot just drive through the double doors. I have seen people pull up in front of the 4th street entrance screaming and twice if it was not for Sheriff Honsal and Undersheriff J.D. Braud running out to assist, it could have been worse. Both times, I was speaking to Sheriff Honsal and Undersheriff Braud and their public safety instinct took over and their immediate concern was the safety of the driver and the public.