The long-awaited completion of an ADA-compliant elevator is now complete at New City Hall—also known as the Courthouse. The project, which cost approximately $300,000, was funded primarily through the city’s Urban Renewal program. The Review took a tour of the Courthouse with City Administrator Jeff Alvis who explained that the Ausland Group was the contractor along with Straight Up Elevator Company.
The elevator system is comprised of two actual elevator cars: one is a lift system that operates from ground level to the first floor of the Courthouse, providing public access to all city offices. The other travels to the second floor and is simply accessed via a short hallway located at the rear of the Courthouse. Mr. Alvis explained that by installing two systems, the city preserved more of the historic integrity and character of the building. Other improvements to the Courthouse include ADA-Compliant restrooms on the first and second floors, now enabling the use of the second floor as public space.
Within the next months, construction will commence on the spacious second floor, transforming it into what Alvis called, “general assembly space.” Improvements made recently to the upper floor include a new HVAC system, fire suppression system, and a new electrical and lighting system. In the future, the space will be used for city meetings, non-profit meetings, and other uses. The city had planned to hold a public “ribbon cutting” ceremony to mark the occasion but the COVID-19 pandemic has made that impossible at this time.
It’s worth noting that the project has been a dream come true for Mayor Becker, who was an early advocate for saving the Courthouse and transforming it into city offices and a public gathering space. It should also be noted that City Facilities Director, Tom Glover, was instrumental in the years-long transformation of the once-derelict building into one of Jacksonville’s historic gems.
Tom Glover