$350 Million Jacksonville Court Gets Green Light

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Work to begin on the stalled $350 million Duval County Courthouse was approved, despite lingering funding concerns among local leaders.

Designed to meet federal energy efficiency standards, the 800,000-square-foot courthouse will incorporate more than 50 courtrooms, chambers for more than 70 judges, space for the court clerk and jury assembly facilities.

The project was originally scheduled for completion in 2005, but has been stalled for several years amid concerns over escalating costs and wasteful spending, officials say. In 2000, taxpayers approved $190 million for the project and former Mayor John Delaney broke ground on the project in 2003.

The joint venture of local firm KBJ architects and Turner Construction was hired to lead the relaunched project in 2004.

The nearby former federal courthouse building will be renovated to provide space for the state attorney’s office and the public defender.

The courthouse is scheduled for completion in 2011, officials say.