Washington County Courthouse front entrance reopens for first time in 7 years with AI security

Washington County is the first county in Pennsylvania to implement the AI-powered Evolv system at courthouse entrances.

The historic Washington County Courthouse front entrance officially reopened to the public Wednesday after being closed for seven years.

County leaders and elected officials, judges and community members gathered Wednesday morning to cut the ribbon on the newly restored entrance, reopening a historic part of the 125-yearold courthouse that had been closed since 2019.

Among those in attendance included county commissioners, Chairman Nick Sherman, Vice Chair Electra Janis and Larry Maggi along with Washington County President Judge Valarie Costanzo and state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township.

The $3 million dollar project was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, according to Sherman. It was supposed to be a $200,000, three-month fix.

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta speaks during the reopening ceremony for the front entrance of the Washington County Courthouse. Sarah Pellis / Mon Valley Independent

Built in 1900, the courthouse’s mahogany front doors were closed in late 2019 for fixes to the cement steps and portico out front.

Sherman said that everything went wrong with the doors, there were trip hazards and the entire underneath of the entrance was dry rotted.

“We had to have cranes come in with steel beams to reinforce everything underneath,” Sherman said. “Then, the old president judge said for safety and security, he wanted it closed. Judge Valarie Costanzo wants it open, I want it open so now we are open.”

Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi speaks during the reopening ceremony for the front entrance of the Washington County Courthouse. Sarah Pellis / Mon Valley Independent

When that work was completed, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the doors remained closed.

Over the years, the doors also sustained weather damage.

Last summer, county commissioners approved a bid for StoneMile to install six brand new 10-foot doors. That work was completed at the end of last year. The doors were made exactly the same as the old ones because the building is a historical site, according to Sherman.

County commissioners said Wednesday that the project balances preservation of the courthouse’s historic character with modern safety

Washington County Commissioner Electra Janis speaks during the reopening ceremony for the front entrance of the Washington County Courthouse. Sarah Pellis / Mon Valley Independent

improvements designed to better serve residents and visitors.

“It’s a National Historical Landmark, so that means everything must be code to keep the integrity and historical accuracy of this building, which we were happy to do,” Sherman said.

Earlier this year, the county was working on receiving the updated security equipment from Evolv before the official reopening.

The reopening also coincided with the launch of a new courthouse security configuration led by the Washington County Sheriff’s office. The updated layout improves visibility for deputies and

Washington County Commissioner Nick Sherman speaks during the reopening ceremony for the front entrance of the Washington County Courthouse. Sarah Pellis / Mon Valley Independent

incorporates Evolv’s touchless screening technology at both courthouse entrances.

“Safety and wellbeing of our courthouse staff and visitors is top priority to our sheriff’s Office,” stated Sheriff Tony Andronas. “As part of our continued security efforts, the installation of the Evolv Weapons Detection System at entrances will allow our deputies to add another layer to our comprehensive security plan.”

Washington County is the first county in Pennsylvania to implement the AI-powered

00087608 Evolv system at courthouse entrances, according to Andronas.

The touchless technology is designed to strengthen courthouse security while streamlining the screening process and reducing wait times for visitors entering the building, he added. The new entrance doors and security systems are expected to be fully operational next week.

“More than 30 years ago as a young prosecutor in the district attorney’s office, I walked in and out of these front doors nearly every single day,” Costanzo said. “Back then, I really didn’t appreciate what the doors represented. They were simply the way into work. But overtime, I came to understand that entering through these doors means something much larger. These doors welcome people seeking justice, fairness and a resolution.”

Sherman added that the project and the opening is special for Washington County’s history.

Maggi said the courthouse has been through good and bad times, and he’s glad to see this fresh chapter for the storied building.

Janis agreed. “This entrance has been closed my entire career in office so far, and I think, even though there were good reasons, it’s really doing the county a disservice to not have this historical building open to the public,” Janis said. “People get married here, people adopt children and become families here. This is really a special thing.”

Bartolotta said the courthouse is something to be proud of for generations to come, and wanted to highlight the diligence and patience that came with the reconstruction of the front of the building.

She thanked the artisans and stone workers who worked on the entrance, and is grateful the building is open.

“We can now walk into this beautiful, beautiful county seat, the heart of our Washington County,” Bartolotta said. “This is just another domino of this series of improvements and attention and care given to our county, and it’s wonderful to see the way they combined modern efficiencies with historic preservation. They were very, very careful to do that. We are really lucky to be able to open up these doors before July 4, before this wonderful milestone in our country’s history goes by.”