Commissioners explore proper courthouse lighting

The Holmes County commissioners recently met with Matt Minard, lighting designer and lighting department lead with KLH Engineers of Cincinnati, to discuss the proposal to develop proper lighting for the outside of the courthouse, beginning with the courthouse clocktower.

The meeting took place via Zoom, and Minard presented a variety of large projects his company has designed over the past years.

However, one element the commissioners are excited about in working with KLH Engineers is the company specializes in developing lighting of historical buildings.

“One of our practices is that we do a lot of historical projects all over the country,” said Minard, who is an Ashland University graduate. “Whether it is interior or exterior, we are known to be the experts on those types of projects because they take a lot of time and patience and require an expert skill level when it comes to understanding the architectural artistry, but also the technical, logical part when it comes to the power and controls of the lighting.”

The commissioners have had improving the lighting of the courthouse on the agenda for some time now and believe enhancing the appeal of the lighting is important for several reasons.

“I like that they are willing to work where we feel comfortable,” commissioner Dave Hall said. “It’s also hugely important that they are experts in dealing with old historical buildings like this, and it’s also great that this improves not only the beauty, but also the safety.”

Minard walked the commissioners through the four-step process, which begins with him and his team coming to Millersburg to meet with the commissioners to not only view the courthouse, but also to get a better impression of what the overriding goals are, what the expectations are, gaining insight into the timeline and discussing a budget.

“The goal is to create design and construction drawings that we can then hand over to construction bidders or a preferred contractor that they can bid off of,” Minard said. “Good design doesn’t have to be expensive, as long as someone has the right experience and the right motives.”

He said the county could either bid the project out or choose their own electrical team to work on the job, a local contractor who knows and understands the building.

The process would include KLH writing a proposal that would be all-encompassing of the company’s time and planning investment in developing the proper lighting, which would help the commissioners develop a budget for the project.

Minard said KLH works with a 3-D model.

“We actually scan the building to work in the 3-D modeling,” Minard said. “That 3-D model is really important to us because we have to be able to showcase what the different approaches are or the different kinds of strategies on lighting the building in terms of preferences, budget and everything else involved in the process.”

Minard said it is imperative to understand the totality of the costs involved prior to moving forward on the project. He said even after the first visit, he can get a good grasp on a ballpark figure of what the project would look like financially.

However, he said the most important part of the process is learning exactly what the commissioners’ vision is for the project because his company wants to fulfill those needs first and foremost.

The commissioners asked to see some samples of KLH’s projects, and it was then that Minard rolled out an array of photos on several Cincinnati projects that helped light up structures including historical buildings.

Minard continued to talk the commissioners through what the process would entail and said not only is the lighting valuable for its intrinsic beauty and for security purposes, but also it will likely be a money-saving move because the newer lights are far more cost-effective than the lights currently on and around the courthouse.

“It’s a win-win all the way around,” Minard said.

Hall told Minard that because Holmes County is such a popular tourist destination and the courthouse is a highly photographable historical building, this lighting project is an important step in adding both beauty and security to the courthouse allure.

Commissioner Joe Miller said the first and most important phase of the lighting project will focus on the courthouse, although the commissioners would certainly discuss all possibilities in adding new lighting.

“There was a lot of money spent when this building was built, and it was done right, and it is worth highlighting it because it is a special building in our county and it’s an attraction,” Miller said.

Hall said contacting KLH was important because of the reputation the company has built.

“We want the project done the right way,” Hall said. “It would be really nice to have this lit up properly for the bicentennial celebration this year. We’re working in a window of the last half of this year and the beginning of next year.”

Minard said that shouldn’t be a problem adhering to that timeline.

He said with the courthouse being a focal point and a cherished landmark, creating the most appealing way to showcase it will truly bring out the best features of the historical building.

“When lighting is done right, it does create a certain movement within all of us,” Minard said, “especially in a building like that which has that identity and strength behind it. It does create special memories and moments, and that is what our team is all about.”

Hall said connecting with Minard and his team will be the next step in the process, and the county has federal funds set aside to complete the project.