by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on July 29, 2010
TWO TON PILLAR IS LIFTED AND PLACED INTO POSITION
It is obvious to the naked eye that the center pillar installation is nearly complete. Two to four ton giant concrete pieces are lifted then placed into position as though they were Lincoln Logs in a child’s toy box.
Long and short whistle blows direct the pieces into final position. It is a terrific spectator sport to watch this display of perfection. One can immediately realize that crane operators are like PGA Tour Golfers – these guys are good!
PRECARIOUSLY POSITIONED WORKERS GUIDE PILLAR INTO PLACE
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on July 22, 2010
New Duval County Courthouse with Green Space
The exterior of the New Duval County Courthouse is nearing completion and it is beautiful. The afternoon sun illuminates its skin tiles and makes the entire building shine. (Click on photograph to enlarge)
From directly across the street the view is outstanding. But what happens when the parking lot I’m standing on becomes a parking garage? I’ll tell you. It makes this multi-million dollar building and Jacksonville’s finest newest construction project a disappointment. A situation that can never be corrected.
I spoke to the Mayor several weeks ago regarding the space in front of the Old United States District court building. Currently a dozen or more construction trailers inhabit the space. I asked the Mayor if it were true that once the trailers were moved that the city would construct a parking garage there. He said that it was true.
I have provided a photograph of the Old United States District Courthouse before it is blocked by a parking garage.
Old United States District Court Building - Jacksonville, FL (Click to Enlarge)
Every step forward this city takes it takes two steps backwards. If you have any ability to stop this “parking lot progress” please help.
We must not block the New Duval County Courthouse or the Old United States District Courthouse. There is plenty of property behind these two courthouses to build parking garages.
For every block of city buildings downtown, we build another block of parking garages.
No More Parking Garages! Save the view! Create green space!
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on July 17, 2010
New Duval County Courthouse - July 16 - Who is that on the roof?
Here is Florida’s version of mountain climbing right in downtown Jacksonville.
Our crack photographer, Reinhardt, captured this unique photo of two construction supervisors. Using tiny safety guy wires the men made their way up the slippery slope of the New Duval County Courthouse.
Mountain Climbers in Jacksonville - New Duval County Courthouse
by Courthouse Blogger - Brian Baldwin on July 15, 2010
July 2009
When building the new Duval County Courthouse from scratch, it is amazing what can be constructed in just one year. Last July, 2009, the ground had been leveled and special large elevator cavities were under construction. The drilling and filling team was busy drilling over 1000 small footers then filling each with concrete over a two large city block area.
Today, July 14, 2010, the entire building has been poured and now the windows and exterior skin is being installed. Inside, the metal studs are going up along with the electrical wiring and air conditioning ducts.
July 2010
Now, the west end of the courthouse is nearly complete. Its windows are installed and all of the exterior skin has been applied. Notice that the final concrete skin panels along the top have artistic drawings which finish off the special look. (See Cutout in lower right of photograph).
West End of New Duval County Courthouse
