by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on April 22, 2010
It is always a treat to see something different occur at the New Duval County Courthouse. This past week the workers were caught installing the windows on the Southwest corner of the courthouse. Our staff photographer, Reinhardt, captured the moment just prior to installation and immediately following the completion of this task.
Things are taking shape.
When asked for the latest report, our crack reporter, Brian Baldwin said, “They say they are down to eight weeks.” When asked just what he meant by that he explained that a hardhat working for the concrete company had mentioned to him (over a delicious hotdog) that in eight weeks or less the building will be completely poured. “The east side of the building has been catching up with the other two sections.” If you visit the site in the next couple of months, you’ll be a witness to the final concrete pouring and completion of the physical building of the New Duval County Courthouse.
Based on what we have heard from previous reports, the exterior skin will take another year to install. While that is completed the interior will be drywalled and all of the electrical and mechanical devices will be put into place. The building is still a good two years from the move-in date. “Heck, they’ve got to do the carpet, drapes, courtroom paneling, cabinets, potties, water fountains, artwork and all that other kind of stuff.” called out Brian from behind the grill. “Eight hundred thousand square feet – need I say more.”
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on April 6, 2010
“Stop your car!” Hot dog man and mild-mannered reporter, Brian Baldwin shouted while waving me down. Screeching to a halt and pulling into the nearest parking space, I raced back to hear what he had to say. “The Mayor made a visit yesterday. He and his bodyguard along with an entourage jaywalked from there to here.” Brian pointed from the west corner of the U.S. District Court building to his hotdog stand location on the southeast corner of 311 West Monroe Street (soon to be Angela’s House).
When I asked whether he had seen him inspect the New Duval County Courthouse site before, Brian responded, “Never. The men describing the progress and location of everything to the Mayor where pointing and talking loudly enough so that I could hear everything.” The comment Brian made about not seeing him onsite before does not mean that the Mayor had not visited the site. But, who could blame him for avoiding this political hot potato. “He should be proud for just getting the thing done.”
Back to the story. Brian added, “The Mayor asked his group of guys just where Monroe Street would be relocated. When the team hesitated, I just jumped in and shouted, “It will start at the west end of the building and curve out in front of the new courthouse, meeting back with Monroe Street where we are standing.”
Startled and amused, the Mayor made a quick glance (including a Mayoral smile) toward Brian and his customers and exclaimed, “Hi Guys!” According to Brian, three or four customers heard the whole story. “The Mayor and his compadres stood there another five or ten minutes then walked around toward the construction site. I heard them talking about another parking garage.”
To my amazement, Brian said that a new parking garage would be constructed on the location where all of the construction managers and supervisors of the new courthouse are currently housed. This is directly in front of the Old District Courthouse and Post Office. “I can’t believe they would even consider blocking the view of this beautiful old District Courthouse!” I mentioned to Brian that there was insufficient parking nearby to accommodate the influx of courthouse employees. In reply he said, “I’m concerned. Just how will Angela park her car and get safely inside her building?” That is a good question to ask someone. Maybe a Maxwell Smart secret agent tunnel could be added.
One of the hardhats commented that the concrete pouring portion of the courthouse will be complete in not months but weeks. This means that it could less than six weeks before all of the concrete structure will be poured. Once that is done the exterior skin will be applied one piece at a time. By September, the courthouse will have the exterior appearance of completion.
Lastly, Brian mentioned a Brouhaha involving the Gate company’s request to utilize the existing giant cranes to apply its exterior skin rapidly which it needs to install. “I heard they wanted to use the giant cranes but were told NO!” he exclaimed. He added, “That is why there are so many cranes onsite right now. Gate had to rent cranes for their own work.” Brian gave me an evil smile and waved goodbye.
