JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Action News is finally getting answers from Turner Construction about how the $350 million courthouse still isn't finished.
All the courthouse key players met Thursday afternoon to get a much-needed progress report. The city's Public Works Director, Jim Robinson, says there are still a handful of items left on the to-do list. Those items must be completed before a certificate of occupancy can be issued. Right now, the courthouse is operating under a temporary one. Action News is finally getting answers from Turner Construction. We asked why the project is taking so long to finish.
"The project was completed within the time constraints the city has given us," said Turner Construction Project Executive Mark Alles. "We're very proud of the quality the safety record and the end product the city has. So from our standpoint, the project's been great."
City council members still have questions on a number of issues, including a stalled project to allow a live feed from inside the courtrooms.
"We believe that for the courtrooms to be functional from the media standpoint that's something that really needs to be considered," said Duval County Circuit Court Judge Lance Day.
The Public Works Department says funding is the reason that had to be put on hold. The final component needed will cost between $2,000 and $300,000.
"We haven't discounted it going in, but it's a financial wherewithal issue," said Robinson.
There are also concerns over ADA compliance to make sure the building is handicap accessible. Those tweaks are also being worked out. City Council President Bill Bishop says the home stretch is often the most complicated.
"Every last punch list item is supposed to be done before the final check is paid for the contract and that's why that list of uncompleted work is so important to understand what it is," he said.
Council members are also concerned about utility costs. Those figures are significantly higher than the old courthouse, even though they say the state of art building was supposed to be more energy efficient.
Robinson says right now, they are within budget for the year.
