FLINT - Genesee County's municipal, judicial and prosecutor offices are well on their way to getting some much-needed elbow room.

On March 31, Local 25 iron workers and Johnson Steel topped out a five-story, 60,000 square-foot addition to the Genesee County Courthouse at Beach and Court streets. By next January, general contractor Sorensen Gross and the rest of the building trades are slated to have the rest of the addition completed, and tied into the existing courthouse that was constructed in 1929. The old courthouse will then be renovated.

"Overall it's been a good job," said Sorensen Gross Project Manager Michael O'Donnell. "We've had a few conflicts, but nothing we can't handle."

Johnson Steel Supt. Dave Hamilton said about 500 tons of steel manufactured in Sanford, Michigan is going into this project. "It's been a super job; no one has been hurt," said.

The addition to the courthouse - which will cost about $17 million - is part of a $25 million expenditure by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners to expand and renovate county office space.

IRON WORKERS topped out the 60,000 square-foot addition to the Genesee County Courthouse on March 31.