MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) - Dozens of residents gathered in downtown Marshalltown to cheer the return of the dome atop the tornado-damaged and time-ravaged Marshall County Courthouse.
Streets around the courthouse were lined Tuesday with cheering people - some shoulder to shoulder despite warnings about social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The dome and building were damaged by a tornado that tore through Marshalltown on July 19, 2018, injuring several people. Falling debris broke three courthouse sprinkler lines, resulting in a flood of water entering the structure.
“I feel a lot of relief,” county building and grounds director Lucas Baedke told the Times-Republican. “This has been a bit of a stressful situation but it’s really done and we got it over with. This is a great thing for Marshalltown and Marshall County. They will see this as a good step in their building. It’s just a really crappy time for it since so many people are stuck in their homes.”
The dome’s rose-tinted windows can’t be installed until a scaffolding system is positioned so workers can add the finishing touches to the multimillion-dollar project. The tornado damage exposed rot and wear and tear that needed to be repaired or replaced. The building is more than 130 years old.
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