The project to convert the former federal courthouse along Monroe Street adjacent to the Duval County Courthouse is on schedule and within its budget, according to a city official.
Tom Goldsbury, city Planning and Development engineering manager, told the City Council Courthouse Oversight Special Committee that the almost $26 million renovation should be complete by December 2014.
"We are on schedule," he said Wednesday.
Goldsbury said 90 percent of the subcontractors who will be involved in the job are local companies, including W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor Inc. and Coastal Electric Co.
Already on site are 92 of the projected 125 workers, including staff from Morganti Group Inc., the general contractor on the job.
Pearl Street between the two buildings was closed this week to prepare for installation of the elevated pedestrian walkway that will link the State Attorney's Office space in the former federal courthouse to the county courthouse.
Goldsbury said foundations are being installed for the walkway, which is being fabricated and scheduled to be delivered and then installed by Jan. 6.
The city has received the final invoice from Turner Construction Co. for the county courthouse and has received affidavits to the effect that the subcontractors have been or will be paid in full, said Jim Robinson, city Public Works director.
"Just yesterday, we agreed the city would issue joint checks to Turner and the subcontractors," said Robinson.
Issues still remain before the contract can be closed, including adjusting the air conditioning system on the ground floor and a problem near the entrance to the building.
"The concrete walkway in front of the courthouse doesn't drain well after a rain event," he said.
Final negotiations are scheduled to begin in December to close the contract between the city and Turner. Robinson said about $600,000 of the $350 million Duval County Unified Courthouse Project budget is "still in discussion."
Goldsbury said the modifications to the building to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act are 90 percent complete.
Anticipated to cost about $600,000, the final total for the work will be under $300,000.
Robinson said the ADA compliance system installed by Turner Construction was "code-compliant" and "the subsequent work is an enhancement."
City Parking Director Jack Shad said jurors called for service in the county courthouse and since Oct. 1 have been parking in the city's garage along Adams Street instead of lots near the sports complex and being shuttled on buses.
"We're not hearing any negative feedback," said Circuit Judge Lance Day.
Shad said that the court has received no complaints is the best-case situation when it comes to parking management.
"You normally don't hear comments like, 'Hey – great parking'" he said.
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