by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Representatives from the Duval County Courthouse and various historical groups took a walk through the old federal courthouse on Duval Street Thursday, serving a two-fold purpose.
“We’re looking to see if we can find anything that is of either some historical or monetary value,” said Court Administrator Britt Beasely. “There’s a lot worth saving.”
The courthouse was originally constructed in the 1930s with much of the woodwork and marble still housed inside.
Calling the tour the “fluid phase” of the yet-to-be built county courthouse, Circuit Court Judge Lance Day explained the group was hoping to “form a bridge between the old federal courthouse and the new county courthouse.”
Day also serves on a planning committee for the new county courthouse with fellow judges Mallory Cooper and A.C. Soud.
“We’d like to show as much of a relationship as possible between the two campuses,” said Day. “There are some things in the old building that you just can’t duplicate and we really just want to be sure that we can preserve as much as we can.”
Working off of a limited time frame — the courthouse is slated to be gutted as early as Aug. 15 — Day and others have been taking semi-regular tours of the building for weeks in hopes of identifying salvageable items.
“We’re hoping the architect can tell us what we can incorporate,” said Day. “If it’s more cost effective, we may decide to create replicas instead.
Likely contenders include original light fixtures, tables and benches. Elevators and door locks — things originally eyed for restoration or relocation — were previously deemed non-compliant by American Disabilities Act standards and will not be reused.
“We were surprised to hear that,” said Beasely. “It would have been nice if they could have been moved, but we understand it won’t be possible. It’s a shame.”
Day said he would be satisfied if the group could save anything.
“If they would like these things to be preserved and remain in the old building that’s fine,” said Day. “But if they are going to just throw them out and they prove to be economically beneficial to us, we could certainly use them. If we can save any money that would be great. We’re still trying to come up with $20 million.”