Mobile Government Plaza

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 [6] Completed in 1994 at a cost of US$73 million, the building rises 325 feet (99 m) and 12 stories at its highest point.[6][7] The roof of the building is the site of two twin architectural spires that are included in the tower's overall structural height.[5] 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.[5]

Government Plaza
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeCity Hall, Government, Office
Architectural stylePostmodern
Location205 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama
Coordinates30°41′21.65″N 88°2′32.49″W
Completed1994
Opening1994
Renovated2014[1]
Cost$73 million
Renovation cost$3.5 million[1]
OwnerMobile County[2]
Height
Roof325 feet (99 m)
Technical details
Floor count12
Lifts/elevators4 (judicial tower)[3]
Design and construction
Architect(s)Frederick C. Woods & Associates, Golemon & Rolfe Associates
DeveloperCity of Mobile
References
[4][5]

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 581,000-square-foot (54,000 m2) facility comprises a 12-story administration tower and a 9-story judicial tower, connected by a massive 50,000-square-foot (4,600 m2) glass-enclosed atrium.[8] It was the first government structure in the United States to combine county and municipal governments and the court system in one space.[6] Designed to evoke a nautical feel appropriate to Mobile's status as a seaport, the building is an example of postmodernist style architecture.[5][6]

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.[9]

Atrium repairs

The atrium roof's initial 1994 design and construction, especially the skylight,[10] led to leaks during heavy rain.[11][12][13] A fix was attempted in 2004 but failed.[14] In August 2013, after worsening leaks, a $3.2 million contract was awarded to replace the roof;[15][1] these repairs made to the atrium – completed in 2014[16] – made the roof "leak free", according to the Mobile County Commission.[9] However, in December 2016, an architect was hired to fix another series of leaks.[14]

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. Fambro, Cassie (July 30, 2014). "Roof repair at Government Plaza may cost a quarter-million more than expected". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  2. Specker, Lawrence (August 13, 2017). "Mobile commissioner: City jeopardizing county budget in rent, tax dispute". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  3. Sharp, John (June 26, 2019). "Government Plaza's elevators undergoing overhaul in Mobile". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  4. "City-County Administration Building". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  5. "City-County Administration Building". SkyscraperPage. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  6. "Mobile Government Plaza". mobilecountyal.gov.
  7. "Mobile Government Plaza: Fast Facts". Mobile County. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
  8. "Mobile Government Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
  9. Master Plan for Government Plaza (PDF) (Report). August 5, 2015. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  10. Barraza, Franz (August 8, 2013). "Plans to update Government Plaza roof". WALA-TV. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  11. McClendon, Robert (March 12, 2012). "Mobile Government Plaza roof leaks getting worse". AL.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  12. Kirby, Brendan (May 2, 2013). "Leaks drop water in courtrooms, Mobile Government Plaza elevator outages cancel city court". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  13. Sharp, John (October 29, 2013). "Mobile County commissioners could consider renaming Government Plaza after Sam Jones next month". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  14. Sharp, John (February 1, 2017). "Dead rats and pigeons infest Mobile's Government Plaza: 'Like three dead bodies'". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  15. Dumas, Michael (August 8, 2013). "Mobile Government Plaza could get new roof complete with 'leak-free guarantee'". AL.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  16. Sharp, John (October 14, 2014). "With scaffolding removed, Government Plaza's roof closer to being 100 percent leak-free". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  17. Sharp, John (October 29, 2013). "Mobile City Council votes to rename Government Plaza after Sam Jones". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  18. "Honoring a 'legacy': After controversial candidacy, how does Mobile honor its late council president?". AL.com. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  19. "Little Known Black History Fact: Sam Jones". Black America Web. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  20. "City Council". cityofmobile.org. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  21. "Public Affairs". mobilecountyal.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
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