TOMS RIVER – Ocean County officials announced that construction on two separate improvement projects in the plaza of the Ocean County Justice Complex will begin on June 4.
The complex, located at 120 Hooper Avenue, will be receiving a high-efficiency heating and cooling system as well as upgrades to the stairs, handicapped access ramp and doors.
“We want to make sure our visitors and staff are aware of this ongoing work,” said Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Department of Buildings and Grounds. “Access to the buildings may be affected from time to time by the work but the buildings will remain open throughout the construction.”
The county plans to complete the work in phases to avoid interrupting county functions within the Justice Complex or in nearby buildings.
“The phase-in plan has been reviewed by the contractors, Ocean County Courthouse officials, Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and Township building inspectors,” said Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “The safety of our visitors and staff and security of the building is of the utmost importance during these construction projects.”
The new 600 kW CHP heating and cooling system will generate electricity while capturing and using waste heat for space heating, cooling, and water heating.
For the system, the electrical work needs to be worked on first underneath the plaza, according to officials, which will take about eight months. The electrical work will be done by Kubiak and Sons.
“One of the first steps to installing the Combined Heat and Power & Fuel Cell (CHP) at the Justice Complex is the consolidation of the exterior electric service,” said Assistant Administrator Michael Fiure. “This work will require the removal of the existing concrete from the plaza at the Justice Complex.
“It’s key the public is aware that some changes will take place in order to access the building safely,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little. “We are doing all we can to make sure notification is made to the public prior to work beginning.”
While this is also going on, the upgrades to the stairs, handicapped access ramp and doors leading will be worked on by A Plus Glass and Metal, Hasbrook Heights, which should take approximately 120 days.
“These upgrades including new automatic doors, and improvements to the stairs and handicapped ramp will allow for better and safer access into the building by all of our visitors,” Vicari said. “Once it’s all back together, the public will enjoy a new plaza area by the Justice Complex.”
