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
