Reviewers court Peyton's plan

[thelakelander]

By Mary Kelli Palka,
The Times-Union

A courthouse review committee has agreed with Mayor John Peyton's proposal for one large seven-story building - but has added a provision that the City Council should be asked to consider building additional shelled space that can be later converted.

The Courthouse Architectural Review Committee has recommended building an all-inclusive courthouse complex that combines criminal and civil functions, rather than phasing it in, as had been planned last year.

Peyton, who told the Times-Union of his new proposal this month, has estimated the price tag at $395 million, including $64.3 million already spent.

At the request of Chief Judge Donald Moran, the committee asked that the City Council consider adding the additional floor but keep it shelled until extra space was needed beyond 2025. He said that would make the project more cost-effective.

Chief Administrative Officer Alan Mosley said adding the additional space would cost another $12 million.

Committee members voting for the recommendation were Moran, attorney Jim Rinaman, Councilman Don Redman and Public Works Director Joey Duncan.

Ron Salem, who is also head of the Better Jacksonville Plan Citizens Oversight Committee, cast the lone opposing vote. He said he wanted to hear more details, including how the city will pay for the new courthouse. He also questioned how those costs would be kept in check.

Mosley said he has confidence in the city's new team, Turner Construction Co. and KBJ Architects, and in the new plan.

Peyton has said he wants one large courthouse now, and he wants to have it completed before he leaves office in 2011.

Council President Daniel Davis said the council will consider Moran's idea to shell the additional space. City Councilman Kevin Hyde said Peyton's proposal makes sense, but he also shares concerns about how the city would pay for it.

"The whole thing comes down to how can we ultimately build the whole building the most cost-effective way," Hyde said.

He said he's not sure if an additional floor makes sense at this time.

Mosley said the city will pay off some of its existing debt in a couple of years, which would leave some options for paying the $6 million to $8 million estimated annual payments if the city borrowed more money.

Voters originally approved a $190 million courthouse plan in 2000.

Since then, changes in plans, construction prices and a couple of new starts have caused costs to rise.

Tony Bates, president of Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County, said the issue should go back to voters for a referendum before a larger budget is approved.

mary.palka@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4104

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/112307/met_219880821.shtml.

[Jason]

Does anyone else hear the mom from the peanuts cartoons talking?  "Wha, wha, ..... wha wha."

[thelakelander]

Here's a nice sketch by Ed Gamble.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/opgamble/archive/112507.shtml

[RiversideGator]

Peyton amazes me.  He pulled the plug on the original deal when the price tag was at $300 million (roughly) a few years ago.  Now, we are getting an inferior product for $100+ million more - just as I predicted by the way.  He is some businessman.  If his name werent Peyton, he would be lucky to be the night manager at one of daddy's Gate stations.

And, the revamped design is mediocre at best.  We need to get a competent firm like Cannon into the deal to produce a proper courthouse rather than KBJ temple of crap.