JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- City leaders are pushing forward with a plan to make the courthouse meet all ADA compliance codes.
"The satisfaction of code is so razor thin, does it or does it not meet code," said Director of Public Works Jim Robinson during a courthouse meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Robinson says doors in the $350 million courthouse aren't ADA compliant. So now, the city wants to use taxpayer money to fix them.
Councilman John Crescimbeni doesn't like the idea. "I'm concerned we're spending our money to address the issue."
It would cost $3,000 per door for as many as 250 doors. Crescimbeni questioned whether Turner Construction should be held liable. Action News went right to company to ask about the problem. "The building meets code, and ADA code as it stands now," said Turner representative Mark Alles.
But at least one taxpayer sitting at the table says no more of his money should be used on this building. "If we have to pay $3,000 for doors, somebody needs to be sued," said taxpayer John Parker.
"If it goes into litigation, it'll be costly to the taxpayers," said Crescimbeni.
We asked Turner if a lawsuit will be filed in this case. "That's not the way we do business," said Alles.
A spokesman with the mayor's office says they don't expect all 250 doors will need to be fixed. Turner maintains everything is up to code.
The city is also moving forward with plans for the old federal courthouse. They are now working with the lowest bidding company, Morganti. The contractor says it can renovate the building for $24.7 million. That's under the budget the city has left to build the new state attorney's office. So far, $5 million was spent for hazardous materials removal and architectural fees.
