The restoration of the vintage Cass County courthouse took yet another step forward Thursday as the county board of commissioners approved plans for initial repairs to the building’s heating and ventilation systems.

In a 6-1 vote, the board gave the thumbs up to spend $54,075 for updates to the century-old courthouse’s boilers, piping and temperature control system. The commissioners also selected R.W. LaPine, a mechanical repair firm based out of Kalamazoo, to complete the work.

The firm was selected due to their prior experience with the present state of the structure’s HVAC system, said County Administrator Roger Fraser.

“Last year, R.W. LaPine came into the building to determine the condition of the courthouse and made proposals in respect to the mechanical repairs,” Fraser said. “We’ve been working with R.W. LaPine for some time on a variety of services supporting our buildings.”

This new contract is the first major step taken to restore functionality to the old courthouse at the corner of Broadway and State streets in Cassopolis, which has been closed to the public for a decade. The board earmarked $275,000 in funds for mold removal and other remediation needs, which are needed before formal restoration can begin.

The repair company has already done some initial preliminary work in regards to the courthouse, connecting boiler service pipes to the plant outside, Fraser said.

The costs needed for the repairs falls in line with costs previously presented to the county for the job.

“We think this is consistent with the estimates that were given to us, as consistent with the costs that were used to develop the $275,000 estimate on the cost to stabilize the building,” Fraser said.

When asked if the repairs to the courthouse’s HVAC system were related to mold removal efforts, the board responded that the vendor would only handle work on the piping and ventilation.

“The HVAC system has to be in place to keep the mold from coming back,” Fraser said.

Other resolutions passed on Thursday include:

• Approval to provide funding for additional development at Arthur Dodd Memorial County Park and Lawless and Russ Forest Parks, to the tune of $50,000.

• Approval to name Commissioner Dixie Ann File to the Michigan State University’s Cass County extension office advisory board, to serve until the end of the year.

• Renewal of the county’s E-911 millage rate.