POINT PLEASANT — The remodel of the old Point Pleasant Hardware Building is still moving forward by the Mason County Commission with the first floor plan rendering now available and a pre-bid meeting on exterior work set for 10 a.m., Monday.

The first floor will be the new home of the Mason County Sheriff’s Department and the first floor plan shows a public waiting area, a secure door, a reception area, as well as offices for the sheriff and chief deputy. In addition, the first floor with contain an evidence room, interview room, weapons and equipment room, large meeting room, five offices for deputies, a break room, restroom facilities, a mechanical room and an elevator built on to the back of the building - the elevator as well as a ramp at the back of the building will make the new sheriff’s department office handicap accessible.

The actual work on the first floor has not gone to bid. The pre-bid meeting on Monday deals with exterior work on the building which is described as needed maintenance. Brick will be removed and replaced above the building’s windows on the side which faces the Iron Gate Grill. In addition, mortar joints will be repaired on the front of the building and the side of the building which faces the State Theater. The building will also need pressure washed so the new and existing brick will resemble one another more closely. Bids for this work will be opened at 2:30 p.m., Oct. 25.

At this week’s meeting of the Mason County Commission, Commissioners Miles Epling, Rick Handley and Bob Baird discussed purchasing lots behind the building near the flood wall. These 70 x 70 lots would be used to park vehicles from the sheriff’s department. Epling was to speak to the owner of the lots to possibly negotiate a price which would then come before the commission for a vote.

The commission purchased the old hardware building for $175,000 with the property appraised at $1.4 million.

County Administrator John Gerlach said the courts near Point Pleasant Intermediate School should be coated and painted by Monday, weather permitting.

Gerlach also reported the parking lots for the Baden and Letart Community Centers were being repaved for a total price of $2,500.

County Clerk Diana Cromley reported West Virginia Treasurer Glen Gainer had visited the courthouse earlier in the day and said the county received $5,000 back (one percent) of its purchases made on the county credit cards through a purchase card program.

Cromley reported a public test of early voting machines would take place at 3:45 p.m. on Oct. 18, canvasing of the election will be on Nov. 13, early voting starts on Oct. 24 and the last day to register to vote is Oct. 16. Cromley said poll workers begin training after the 24th.

The commission sent a letter to West Virginia Department of Transportation Secretary Paul A. Mattox expressing their gratitude for the repaving of W.Va. 62 though Point Pleasant.

Commissioners signed a proclamation recognizing the 200th anniversary of Harmony Baptist Church in Southside.

Handley said he had an upcoming meeting of the West Virginia Blue Ribbon Highway Commission which attempts to find funding for road projects.