by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on November 16, 2010
Sunset on the New Duval County Courthouse
It has been a while since anything out of the ordinary has taken place at the New Duval County Courthouse, but as you can see, the final stage of its exterior are being completed.
In this latest photograph, the building has been transformed by the setting sun. During the day it may take on as many as five different looks depending on lighting.
The next photos that Reinhardt will take are a series on the roof that covers the entire center section of the building. The large tiles which will end up covering it should be delivered soon.
The steel workers completing the roof of the foyer have finished their job – and safely. To signify that no one was hurt, a pine tree has been placed on top of the foyer. Reinhardt has been sent to capture that image, too.
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on October 28, 2010
SIX MEN EASILY LIFT A GIANT COMPOSITE BEAM INTO PLACE
Day by day, minute by minute, the New Duval County Courthouse nears exterior completion. The two major events remaining is the installation of precast concrete roofing at the very top of the courthouse and the completion of the roof on the approximately three-story foyer standing just in front of the building.
Nearly all of the heavy glass windows have been installed which reflects the clear blue sky like a Microsoft Windows 3.1 startup screen.
If you have not see it, get downtown and bask in its glory.
Reinhardt caught this amazing photograph of men carrying the composite beam which will support the roof precast concrete. Not only is this beam heavy but you might notice the safety straps impeding the men’s movement.
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on October 23, 2010
"Melvin - The Protector" - Halt! Who goes there? (c) Reinhardt
Over the past year and a half, no one person has appeared as the spokesperson for the New Duval County Courthouse. Maybe this is because of the controversy surrounding the project. Or, maybe it is because no one wants to step up and be in the firing line.
When the World Trade Center buildings were under construction, the construction company hired women dressed in blue outfits similar to airline stewardess uniforms to greet onlookers and explain each step of construction. That was not done for this project.
So, who exactly is the “Front Man” for the courthouse? If I were to select one person, it would be Melvin. I call him “Melvin – The Protector.” Melvin is one of the only men who has been on this construction site for nearly every day of this project. In fact, Melvin is not even a Turner Construction Company employee. He was hired to work temporarily to clean flooring after the first concrete floor was poured in May of 2009.
While sweeping, Melvin was left with a slightly injured thumb as a result of a freak construction accident. Instead of sending him home, his supervisor asked him to guard the front gate of the construction site. This has been a blessing to Melvin and his family because, even though other temporary employees have come and gone, Melvin is still employed. Today, like a sentry guarding a military base, he remains steadfast at his job.
MELVIN IN HIS OFFICE FOR THE PAST 1 1/2 YEARS
Whether it is raining, cold, windy or smoky, Melvin is on duty and smiling. From his makeshift camp at the front entrance gate he greets the incoming trucks and workers. No one gets into or out of the restricted courthouse area without Melvin’s approval.
Next time you drive down Adams Street and you pass the center of the New Duval County Courthouse, give a little honk to Melvin. He would appreciate knowing that you recognize him.
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on October 20, 2010
ONLY THE LETTERS "NTY" FOR COUNTY ARE VISIBLE
The front exterior of the New Duval County Courthouse is nearing completion and I hope everyone is as excited as I am.
Reinhardt enjoyed catching the incomplete name and made fun of the NTY Courthouse.
Click on the image to enlarge. Click it twice to enlarge even more.
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on October 7, 2010
IRON WORKERS DRIVE A PIN TO CONNECT TWO STEEL BEAMS
The New Duval County Courthouse of Jacksonville, Florida, has entered its final phase of construction. At least all of the major work will be completed. Once the windows are inserted the Courthouse will be ready for a postcard.
Today, iron workers are busy assembling the main steel structure that will become the foyer roof.
FOYER OF NEW DUVAL COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Later this afternoon it will be lifted and placed on the concrete structure poured nearly ten months ago. Even though the courthouse will look finished in the next month, it will not be ready for employees until March 2012. Interior finishing work takes a long time. Those in the know have said that the interior is looking mighty fine.
X MARKS THE SPOT
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on September 24, 2010
INSERTING THE DECORATIVE METAL INTO THE PREPARED SQUARE
September 24, 2010
By: Brian Baldwin
Jacksonville, FL
Up there in the sky its a …?
Reinhardt has taken quite a few exciting images but these top them all.
According to Reinhardt, he was driving past the New Courthouse hoping to catch a glimpse of something exciting when he caught Spiderman scaling down the building. But we all know that Spiderman does not wear a hard hat and bright orange safety vest.
This fearless construction worker (who probably selected the shortest straw), scaled down the face of the new Duval County Courthouse. For safety, he had at least three noticeable safety lines attached to his harness.
LOOK UP IN THE AIR...
Once he had cleaned the square where the decorative piece was to be attached he signaled his helper who lowered the prefabricated black insert.
It was not noticeable whether the insert was plastic or some other material but it adhered perfectly where he placed it. Click on each photo to enlarge the image. The above photograph shows four of the inserts already in place.
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on September 23, 2010
WORKERS WELD THE CAPS ON THE CENTER FOYER COLUMNS
The final caps of the columns are being installed as we complete this blog. They are very noticeable in the background. By the middle of next week they should all be installed.
No mention has been made when the foyer will have its top installed. In drawings, it is to look like the courthouse only in miniature.
To better understand this image, look at the picture on the upper right corner of this page titled “Some Assembly Required.”
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on September 23, 2010
September 22, 2010
By: Brian Baldwin
Sadly, Justice is leaving the New Duval County Courthouse. Our crack photographer, Reinhardt, captured the exact moment and helped to file this latest report.
MR. JUSTICE EXITS THE GIANT YELLOW CRANE FOR THE FINAL TIME.
For approximately 12 months, a beautiful yellow crane, capable of reaching far above the New Courthouse, has been lifting and moving tons of materials. One man said, “You could put opera music to it and it would be pure magic.” Men (and possibly women) wait high above the ground positioned precariously anticipating the arrival of giant concrete pieces. Some pieces weigh as much as 20 tons. The yellow crane lifts these bone crushing items and delivers then EXACTLY where needed. Best of all, it is done without killing anyone. I never heard of a single smashed finger as a result of a crane operator error.
Amazingly, the crane operator has little or no line of sight to watch what he is doing. Each move has to be choreographed to perfection. On the ground Mr. Justice relies on specialists who bolt (not your mother’s bolts) his crane cables the piece his crane will be lifting. One slip up and someone life may be in jeopardy.
MR. JUSTICE MANEUVERS A GIANT COLUMN BETWEEN FOUR MEN
Reinhardt told me a very interesting story regarding the yellow crane. “One evening I was standing just outside the gates of the courthouse with my camera in hand. All of a sudden I saw the man operating the crane step down from his command center and begin walking toward me. He was carrying a cooler and wearing his white construction hat. When he finally crossed my path I asked him if he were the crane operator. When he nodded his head as to say yes, I told him he was my idol and added that I had watched him for months dancing items in the sky to their final resting place.
I felt like a paparazzi when I finally asked him if I could take his photograph. He agreed and just for copyright sake I asked his name and phone number – He said, JUSTICE - Ricky Justice. I kind of giggled but he did not find it funny. I have a long drive – make it quick, he said.”
MR. RICKY JUSTICE, CRANE OPERATOR
Thus, Justice is leaving the courthouse. He (not she – LADY JUSTICE) has finished his work with the giant yellow crane and was responsible for placing nearly all of the exterior skin on the front of the courthouse. Job well done!
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on September 1, 2010
August 30, 2010 Facade Nearing Completion
September 1, 2010
Number 19 – Downtown Artwalk Location
Join us tonight along with over 3000 people at the Haydon Burns Library (Original site of Duval County’s 1903 Courthouse), 122 N. Ocean Street, Jacksonville, Florida, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. for Joseph Miller’s exhibit of colossal Courthouse photographic images. These breathtaking closeups have been selected from a catalog of over 10,000 taken over the past year and a half. These images historically document the courthouse construction.
Brought to you by The Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., and the Jacksonville Observer.
Wine and light snacks will be provided.
For more information on the upcoming Courthouse Coffee Table Book (appx. 375 pages), send an email to: JaxHistory@gmail.com.
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on August 17, 2010
CONCRETE SKIN PIECES ARE ATTACHED WITH PUZZLE-LIKE PRECISION (C)2010 REINHARDT JAXOBSERVER.COM
It is a shame that this New Duval County Courthouse has to be diminished by controversy. Since it was first mentioned someone didn’t like the idea, someone didn’t like the drawings, someone didn’t like the budget, someone didn’t like the contractor. Heck, it seems that somewhere there is someone that does not like something about this project.
But, one thing is for sure, this New Duval County Courthouse is beautiful. And, if you have not had a chance to see it, hurry down down there and take a look. This building makes a NASA rocket look small.
Long after the money spent building this structure is forgotten, this building will still be standing and Jacksonville will be proud. Next time someone says to you, “Can you believe that courthouse project?” Take a step back, look them in the eye and say,”It’s looking good isn’t it!”
