Hamilton County approves elevator modernizations, Paycor Stadium escalators and scoreboard contracts

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners on May 21 approved a package of capital contracts and maintenance agreements, including elevator modernization work in three county buildings, vertical-transportation upgrades and scoreboard work at Paycor Stadium, and a low-bid road improvement contract in Colerain Township.

County Administrator Jeff Aluotto told the board the first three contract awards are elevator modernizations to Triton Services: $3.04 million for 230 East 9th (Court of Appeals, Prosecutor, Public Defender and related offices), $4.07 million for 800 Broadway (Probation, Juvenile and Domestic Relations functions) and $4.5 million for the Hamilton County Courthouse. Aluotto said work will be staged; he estimated the first installations could begin in the first quarter of 2027 as parts and scheduling permit.

Why it matters: commissioners and staff said the aging elevators have disrupted court operations and public access. Commissioner Denise Driehaus highlighted human impact, saying staff and members of the public sometimes must climb multiple flights when elevators are out of service.

The board also approved stadium-related contracts tied to ongoing Paycor renovation work. Phil Beck, the stadium project executive, described escalator work intended to bring fans up to the canopy level and connect facility levels. "This will bring folks up to the highest the canopy level," Beck said. The escalator contract uses state pricing and the board recorded an agreement for roughly $7.57 million with Kone (vertical-transportation work). Separately, the board approved Daktronics electronics for a south scoreboard replacement priced at about $5.13 million and a related site/demolition/crane contract with Prus Construction for about $1.03 million.

The board discussed whether county branding or access to the new stadium video wall could be negotiated; Commissioners asked Administration to follow up on whether Hamilton County content or a "Welcome to Hamilton County" message could be included and whether county access to the video system for non-sports events could be clarified in agreements.

On roads, the county engineer reported that JTM Smith Construction submitted the low bid for the East Miami River Road improvements (Project 502305) at $1,559,254 — nearly 11% under the engineer's estimate. Funding for that project will use an Ohio Public Works Commission grant covering 50% ($779,627) with the remainder from the permissive auto fund; the engineer said the project is expected to be complete by June next year.

Other consent-agenda highlights the board approved included a $1.8 million budget adjustment covering restricted fund appropriations and a three-year firewall license, purchasing department bid awards totaling roughly $3.3 million, a $180,000 purchase order for the sheriff's office, and grant awards through the solid-waste district and JFS programs listed in the consent items.

Votes and outcome: the board voted unanimously to adopt the by-leave package that included the three elevator contracts and related items, and later unanimously adopted consent agenda items 2–19. President Stephanie Summerow Dumas, Vice President Reece and Commissioner Denise Driehaus each voted yes on the motions.

What's next: administration committed to returning with additional specifics when available — including a full total cost estimate for the stadium work and clarification on timelines and county access to stadium signage and video systems.