Mobile Government Plaza Explained

Government Plaza
Status:Complete
Location:205 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama
Coordinates:30.6893°N -88.0424°W
Completion Date:1994
Architect:Frederick C. Woods & Associates, Golemon & Rolfe Associates
Owner:Mobile County[1]
Architectural Style:Postmodern
Cost:$73 million
Renovation Date:2014
Ren Cost:$3.5 million
Floor Count:12
References:[2] [3]
Building Type:City Hall, Government, Office
Roof:325feet
Elevator Count:4 (judicial tower)[4]
Opening:1994
Developer:City of Mobile

Mobile Government Plaza is a high-rise in the U.S. city of Mobile, Alabama. The building is owned by Mobile County Commission and has several tenants including the City of Mobile and local courts [5] Completed in 1994 at a cost of US$73 million, the building rises 325feet and 12 stories at its highest point.[5] [6] The roof of the building is the site of two twin architectural spires that are included in the tower's overall structural height.[3] Government Plaza is tied with the Mobile Marriott as the 4th-tallest building in Mobile and the 10th-tallest in Alabama. It also stands as the tallest government building in the state.[3]

Design

Government Plaza was designed by Harry Goleman and Mario Bolullo of Houston, in cooperation with Mobile architect Frederick C. Woods. Their design was selected from among 195 entries in a national competition sponsored by the American Institute of Architects. The 581000square feet facility comprises a 12-story administration tower and a 9-story judicial tower, connected by a massive 50000square feet glass-enclosed atrium.[7] It was the first government structure in the United States to combine county and municipal governments and the court system in one space.[5] Designed to evoke a nautical feel appropriate to Mobile's status as a seaport, the building is an example of postmodernist style architecture.[3] [5]

In August 2015, the Mobile County Commission proposed a series of renovations to the building, including improvements to the exterior, auditorium, atrium, and 10th floor.[8]

Atrium repairs

The atrium roof's initial 1994 design and construction, especially the skylight,[9] led to leaks during heavy rain.[10] [11] [12] A fix was attempted in 2004 but failed.[13] In August 2013, after worsening leaks, a $3.2 million contract was awarded to replace the roof;[14] [15] these repairs made to the atrium – completed in 2014[16] – made the roof "leak free", according to the Mobile County Commission. However, in December 2016, an architect was hired to fix another series of leaks.

Renaming resolution

On October 29, 2013, the Mobile City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution renaming the building the Samuel L. Jones Government Plaza in honor of the outgoing mayor. This resolution was passed during the last City Council meeting over which Mayor Sam Jones presided.[17] However, renaming the building required approval from the Mobile County Commission, which never happened.[18] [19] Mobile County government continues to refer to the building as "Mobile Government Plaza" or "Government Plaza."[20] [21]

See also

References

  1. News: Mobile commissioner: City jeopardizing county budget in rent, tax dispute. Specker. Lawrence. AL.com. August 13, 2017. https://archive.today/20201218220131/https://www.al.com/news/mobile/2017/08/mobile_commissioner_city_jeopa.html. December 18, 2020. live. December 18, 2020.
  2. Web site: City-County Administration Building. https://web.archive.org/web/20150622162938/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/203767/city-county-administration-building-mobile-al-usa. dead. June 22, 2015. July 14, 2009. Emporis.com.
  3. Web site: City-County Administration Building. July 14, 2009. SkyscraperPage.
  4. News: Government Plaza's elevators undergoing overhaul in Mobile. Sharp. John. June 26, 2019. AL.com. https://archive.today/20201218204942/https://www.al.com/news/2019/06/government-plazas-elevators-undergoing-overhaul-in-mobile.html. December 18, 2020. live. December 18, 2020.
  5. Web site: Mobile Government Plaza. mobilecountyal.gov.
  6. Web site: Mobile Government Plaza: Fast Facts. July 19, 2010. Mobile County.
  7. Web site: Mobile Government Plaza. https://web.archive.org/web/20201219152729/https://www.emporis.com/complex/108616/mobile-government-plaza-mobile-al-usa. dead. December 19, 2020. August 24, 2009. Emporis.com.
  8. Master Plan for Government Plaza. August 5, 2015. 8. December 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201218203303/https://media.al.com/news_mobile_impact/other/FINAL_2015-08-07.pdf. December 18, 2020.
  9. News: Barraza. Franz. August 8, 2013. Plans to update Government Plaza roof. WALA-TV. dead. December 18, 2020. https://archive.today/20131030095734/http://www.fox10tv.com/news/plans-to-update-government-plaza-roof. October 30, 2013.
  10. News: McClendon. Robert. March 12, 2012. Mobile Government Plaza roof leaks getting worse. AL.com. live. December 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191104192832/https://www.al.com/live/2012/03/mobile_government_plaza_roof_l.html. November 4, 2019.
  11. News: Kirby. Brendan. May 2, 2013. Leaks drop water in courtrooms, Mobile Government Plaza elevator outages cancel city court. AL.com. live. December 18, 2020. https://archive.today/20201218204256/https://www.al.com/live/2013/05/leaks_drop_water_in_courtrooms.html. December 18, 2020.
  12. News: Sharp. John. October 29, 2013. Mobile County commissioners could consider renaming Government Plaza after Sam Jones next month. AL.com. live. December 18, 2020. https://archive.today/20201218204123/https://www.al.com/live/2013/10/mobile_county_commissioners_co.html. December 18, 2020.
  13. News: Sharp. John. February 1, 2017. Dead rats and pigeons infest Mobile's Government Plaza: 'Like three dead bodies'. AL.com. live. December 19, 2020. https://archive.today/20201219162156/https://www.al.com/news/mobile/2017/02/dead_rats_and_pigeons_infest_m.html. December 19, 2020.
  14. News: Dumas. Michael. August 8, 2013. Mobile Government Plaza could get new roof complete with 'leak-free guarantee'. AL.com. live. December 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191005123413/https://www.al.com/live/2013/08/mobile_government_plaza_could.html. October 5, 2019.
  15. News: Fambro. Cassie. July 30, 2014. Roof repair at Government Plaza may cost a quarter-million more than expected. AL.com. live. December 18, 2020. https://archive.today/20201218205441/https://www.al.com/news/mobile/2014/07/roof_repair_at_government_plaz.html. December 18, 2020.
  16. News: Sharp. John. October 14, 2014. With scaffolding removed, Government Plaza's roof closer to being 100 percent leak-free. AL.com. live. December 18, 2020. https://archive.today/20201218210617/https://www.al.com/news/mobile/2014/10/with_scaffolding_removed_gover.html. December 18, 2020.
  17. News: Sharp. John. October 29, 2013. Mobile City Council votes to rename Government Plaza after Sam Jones. AL.com. live. October 29, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20201218200340/https://www.al.com/live/2013/10/mobile_city_council_votes_to_r.html. December 18, 2020.
  18. Web site: Honoring a 'legacy': After controversial candidacy, how does Mobile honor its late council president?. AL.com. 2021-10-12.
  19. Web site: Little Known Black History Fact: Sam Jones. Black America Web. 2021-05-27.
  20. Web site: City Council. cityofmobile.org. 2021-05-27.
  21. Web site: Public Affairs. mobilecountyal.gov. 2021-05-27.

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