Workers grind joints on the back of the courthouse Tuesday morning. The work is expected to continue for a few more weeks.

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Citizens with business at the courthouse last week were forced to use the back entrance but county officials hope that is the worst inconvenience they will face.

Since the memorial markers were cleaned in early May, restoration work has continued on the courthouse. Currently, crews are grinding out the joints on the building, including every corner, window frame and place where pieces of concrete join together.

This is expected to continue for a few more weeks, according to an Aug. 2 progress report from County Manager Lawrence Gatewood.

Next, crews will spend roughly two weeks pressure washing the outside of the building.

“We’re still right on schedule and on budget,” Gatewood said Tuesday morning.

The current phase of restoration work is estimated to last until October. Then workers will begin replacing all of the 137 windows around the courthouse, which should take until December.

Gatewood said the county has received eight or nine bids on the window replacement project. A decision will be made on the bids in September.

Judges have been given a work schedule. Gatewood said he and other officials have sat in court to make sure the noise was minimally intrusive.

Parks and Recreation director Jeff Waisner said he had not heard any complaints from citizens.

For at least a portion of this week, the back entrance of the courthouse will be closed while workers do repairs on that side of the building. A security attendant will be on hand to direct citizens to the front entrance.