| Main Menu | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Justice Center design proposal shown |
|
|
|
| Written by Danetta Barker | |
| Wednesday, 09 July 2008 | |
|
After a year of planning, designing and buying property, the Justice Center Project Development Board finally saw an image of all their hard work. At the July 1 meeting architects from Brandsetter Carroll Inc. unveiled their rendition of the justice center. The building’s front entrance will be located at the corner of Main Cross and Water streets. The entrance will be curved to reflect the old Farmers Bank building that stood on the corner decades ago. The center of the building has a rounded copula that mimics the tower on the old city hall building. Although board members approved of the basic design of the building, Marvin Suit had reservations about the copula. “My concerns are the features of the original courthouse, which had a fanlight above the entrance. I would like to back to the 1800s with the Williamsburg influence,” he said. Suit felt the rendition didn’t incorporate enough of the original courthouse that was torn down more that 50 year ago. He also wanted windows with panes. Eric Chambers, of Brandsetter Carroll Inc, said the design he had was adaptable and that he would listen to any changes the board would like to make. The layout of the first and second floors was also unveiled. Courtrooms will be on both floors. Three elevators will serve the people who use the building, the public, the staff and the prisoners. One of the elevators will be reserved for the district judge and the circuit judge. Private parking will be available, also. A sally port to load and unload prisoners will be at the back of the building. Chambers said the design took elements from the old building and created an image that would be an icon for the city. The building has five functions, to a city icon, a civic plaza, an urban center, revitalization and urban streetscape. Chambers included a quote from Shakespeare that had been rolling around in the back of his mind, “What is the city but the people?” Mark Horman, also of Brandsetter Carroll Inc. said the slope of the hill was a challenge to the architects, but they had designed a way for the building to remain uniform, but have a little personality. “The grade has given us an opportunity to design something that is not your everyday fare,” Horman said. The front entrance will pushed back from the sidewalk to allow for more presence. “There will be four or five steps that will allow for prominence, and to negotiate the slope,” Horman said. Handicap accessibility will be along the Water Street side of the building. A new sidewalk will be built around the Dudley House, which will provide access to parking behind the building. The driveway that is currently Fontaine Alley will be made a two-way entrance leading to the parking lot. The future of the Dudley House has not been decided. The Administrative Office of the Courts will maintain ownership until after the construction is complete. McDonald Walton and Razor law firm, which will be relocated, wanted to move the law offices into the Dudley House. That decision has not been made. Charles “Chip: Spann also wants to buy or lease the building. The Fleming County Chamber of Commerce has offices in the first floor of the Dudley House. According to board member and Mayor Louie Flanery, the chamber is looking for new office space. Judge-Executive Larry Foxworthy, the board chair, said negotiations will decide if the building will be leased or sold. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
| Polls |
|---|