Construction Continues on North Carolina Justice Facility

By CN Staff

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Construction remains steady at the new U.S. Courthouse Annex and Charles R. Jonas Federal Building in Charlotte.

Structural steel erection began in April to the third-floor slab level—the roof line of the Jonas Federal Building—and will continue through the end of August.

In September, work is set to begin on the process of connecting precast concrete panels to form the exterior skin of the new annex.

Jenkins-Peer Architects of Charlotte is the architect on this nearly $165-million project. Brasfield & Gorrie of Birmingham, Alabama is the construction manager, and fs3/Hodges, which is based in California, is construction manager agent.

Based on the current project schedule for this project—which has a Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) project delivery method— the new annex will be completed in spring 2021.

The Courts have provided funding for the project architect to produce a furniture plan for purchasing any new furnishings needed for the move into the new annex.

In 2012, GSA and the U.S. Courts examined the potential re-use of the city-owned Jonas Courthouse to meet the long-term housing needs of the U.S. Courts. The City of Charlotte agreed to reverse the exchange of properties to return to GSA ownership of the Jonas Courthouse.

Built in 1918, the Charles R. Jonas Federal Building—also known as the United States Post Office and Courthouse—has served at various times as a courthouse of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina and a United States post office. Designed by the Office of the Supervising Architect under James A. Wetmore, it was completed in 1915. The building was renamed in honor of long-serving North Carolina Congressman Charles R. Jonas.

Over the years, it has required major upgrades and the replacement of critical building systems due to its age to ensure continued operations and to promote energy efficiency.

The renovation of the Jonas Federal Building is slated for completion in fall 2022.