Rick Reichlin of Reichlin Painting of Cedarville will paint the inside of the Mackinac County Courthouse for $22,500, pending a successful check of his references by the Mackinac County Board of Commissioners. The commission, which met Thursday, August 14, also hired Glashaw Electric of St. Ignace to install emergency lighting in the building.

Mr. Reichlin, who attended the meeting, was not the lowest bidder, although he was awarded the job based on his painting experience with commercial buildings and historic structures. Mr. Reichlin's recent work included interior painting at the Museum of Ojibwa Culture in St. Ignace, a project that was finished this spring.

Painting at the courthouse will include all rooms and hallways except the third floor courtroom. The courtroom requires more detailed painting, say commissioners, is not used as much, and has not shown as much wear.

The building was last painted in 1997 and 1998.

Also bidding on the project were Accent Builders of St. Ignace, with a bid of $20,500, and St. Antoine Construction of Moran, with a bid of $29,528.

Glashaw Electric of St. Ignace was approved to install exit lights and emergency lighting in hallways and stairwells at the courthouse for $4,500. No bid process was necessary, as the cost was not more than $5,000.

The last major work done on the building was in the fall of 2006, when more than 80 courthouse windows were replaced for approximately $55,000.