Dome Works Continues At Night

ARTIST GERHARD BAUT HAS BEEN HIGH ABOVE THE GROUND FOR HOURS TONIGHT. HE AND A FEW OTHERS ARE THE LEADERS OF THIS PART OF THE RESTORATION PROJECT. IT`S A PROJECT BAUT`S FATHER TOOK ON 40 YEARS AGO. WITH A TEMPORARY PLATFORM JUST FEET FROM THE TOP OF THE DOME, A FEW ARCHITECTS AND ARTISTS REMOVE THE STAINED GLASS. THERE ARE 16 PANELS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN OUT SO THEY CAN BE CLEANED. Gerhard Baut, The Baut Studios says "We have to proceed gingerly so as not to damage the glass anymore than what`s already extent from its age." THE WORK IS DONE AFTER HOURS, WHEN THE LUZERNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE IS PRACTICALLY EMPTY. "It`s quieter. There`s less interference. And if anything happened, there`s no one here." says Carl Handman Architect THIS IS A PROJECT GERHARD BAUT KNOWS ALL ABOUT. THE ARTIST WITH STUDIOS IN SWOYERSVILLE DOES A LOT OF CUSTOM ARCHITECTURE WITH STAINED GLASS, AND HE TALKED WITH US FROM THE PLATFORM. HIS FATHER DID A SIMILAR CLEANING HERE 40 YEARS AGO. "I have the unique opportunity to actually stand in my father`s footsteps so to speak." BAUT SAYS THE ROTUNDA IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS IN THE STATE. THE STAINED GLASS WILL BE CLEANED IN THE NEXT 6 TO 7 WEEKS, THEN RE-INSTALLED WITH A NEW SKYLIGHT ON THE OUTSIDE. THE ARCHITECTS SAY PEOPLE WALKING AND WORKING INSIDE THE COURTHOUSE SHOULD BE ABLE TO NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE. BAUT SAYS HE LEARNED A VALUABLE LESSON FROM HIS FATHER ABOUT THIS PROJECT. "When you do this work, never step back to admire it when you`re done." THIS WILL COMPLETE THE FIRST PHASE OF THE DOME RESTORATION PROJECT. THE COUNTY STILL NEEDS TO DECIDE WHAT WILL BE DONE NEXT TO IMPROVE THE TOP OF THIS 96-YEAR-OLD COURTHOUSE.