Downtown Jackson County Courthouse closed for entire week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Restoration crews spent another day at the Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Kansas City Monday after another water pipe busted overnight.

This time, on the upper floors. Photos provided by the Jackson County's Executive Office show damage to a courtroom and office space.

"We are trying to get rid of that water that’s inside of the building," Marshanna Hester, a spokesperson for Jackson County said.

The courthouse was on the verge of reopening.

Early Thursday, a busted pipe sent 10 feet of water into the basement knocking out power to the 22-story building.

On Saturday night County Executive Frank White Jr. tweeted power had been restored to six floors and on Sunday afternoon, a news conference was held announcing the reopening of the courthouse.

Then on Monday: "It’s definitely unfortunate timing but we are dealing with a building that’s at least 90 years old," Hester said in an interview with 41 Action News.

In the meantime, Jackson County residents like Terry Mitchell who tried to pay her taxes on Friday had to travel to the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence to conduct her business

"I have a wheelchair boy that I have at home and I have to rush to take care of him while leave him alone and come here and take care of this," Mitchell said.

As did Katia Munson, an escrow closer.

"The timing, it’s very important because that determines when the client has possession of the property or refinance. So it is very important. I have to have it the same day," Munson said.

A spokesperson for the Jackson County Prosecutor's office told 41 Action News employees are working remotely or from other office locations. The spokesperson said everyone is eager to get back into the courthouse, but it hasn't stopped the work from getting done.

"We will continue to work as fast as we can to get the downtown courthouse back open," Hester said.

As of Monday evening, Hester said the county does not how much damage will cost them.