Federal Courthouse, 6 & 8 stories, 276,000 sq. ft.,

[dmillsphoto]

Looks like the time is coming. 

Adam Sichko ‏@NSHBIZSichko  7m7 minutes ago

NEW: @SenAlexander (Lamar!) expects key Senate committee to OK $182M for long-stalled new Nashville courthouse. More detes coming...

https://twitter.com/NSHBIZSichko/status/623912287326339072

 

$182M endorsed.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/blog/real-estate/2015/07/figment-to-reality-u-ssenate-endorsing-182m.html

Edited July 22, 2015 by dmillsphoto

[CenterHill]

The judiciary, however, is keeping Nashville as its top priority — because it argues that too much taxpayer money has been spent to turn back now. That tab is $25.1 million and counting, money spent to buy the land and design the building.

 

 I wouldn't mind spending some of that $182 on a redesign. 

[Bezoar]

The prospect of redevelopment of the current courthouse site at 801 Broadway is exciting, should this new courthouse ever see the light of day.  

 

[dmillsphoto]

 I wouldn't mind spending some of that $182 on a redesign. 

$182? Throw in a six pack and I'll do something up in Sketchup.

[CenterHill]

$182? Throw in a six pack and I'll do something up in Sketchup.

That's M.    LOL 

[smeagolsfree]

The prospect of redevelopment of the current courthouse site at 801 Broadway is exciting, should this new courthouse ever see the light of day.  

 

that will be kept as offices. No plans to redevelop that site. 

[rookzie]

that will be kept as offices. No plans to redevelop that site. 

In addition, the attached library on 9th at McGavock, as I have heard, is a highly utilized and needed facility in its own right.

-==-

[Bezoar]

that will be kept as offices. No plans to redevelop that site. 

Oh, that's too bad.  The NBJ article suggests, in the 4th paragraph, that revevelopment is a possibility.

[smeagolsfree]

What a lot of people do not realize is the building planned is not big enough to house all the offices plus new courtrooms. The Customs House is leased to the U.S. Bankruptcy court. 

 

I dont know know if that is speculation on the writers part or not, but this was talked about years ago before Adam was here. I had heard numerous times the old building was still going to be used by the Feds.

[UTgrad09]

So....what you're saying is they need to scrap the courthouse design and build a 20 story Greek Revival structure that will suit Nashville's needs.

[rookzie]

So....what you're saying is they need to scrap the courthouse design and build a 20 story Greek Revival structure that will suit Nashville's needs.

Typically happens, "don't it"?  ...especially given the fact that there had been apocalyptic speculation on inadequacy of the planned fulfillment well before the current point in time of this protracted and ongoing delay.  But at least it's not quite as tricky as trying to forecast Nashville's regional and urban transit needs as a moving target (at least it doesn't quite appear on that scale).

-==-

 

Edited July 23, 2015 by rookzie

[fieldmarshaldj]

So....what you're saying is they need to scrap the courthouse design and build a 20 story Greek Revival structure that will suit Nashville's needs.

I'll settle for a nice Second Empire high-rise. They sure as hell demolished enough of that style of courthouses across the country (and virtually every building in our downtown of that style, both home and business).

[UTgrad09]

I'll settle for a nice Second Empire high-rise. They sure as hell demolished enough of that style of courthouses across the country (and virtually every building in our downtown of that style, both home and business).

Second Empire is nice, but I'm thinking of something to fit in with the historical theme of Nashville.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Second Empire is nice, but I'm thinking of something to fit in with the historical theme of Nashville.

Second Empire isn't a historic theme that would fit in Nashville ? Remember seeing the photos of the buildings along the east side of the old public square that looked like they came straight from Paris ? I'd definitely say it would be an excellent fit and a way to bring back part of what's been shamefully lost.

Edited July 23, 2015 by fieldmarshaldj

[rookzie]

Second Empire is nice, but I'm thinking of something to fit in with the historical theme of Nashville.

 

Second Empire isn't a historic theme that would fit in Nashville ? Remember seeing the photos of the buildings along the east side of the old public square that looked like they came straight from Paris ? I'd definitely say it would be an excellent fit and a way to bring back part of what's been shamefully lost.

Nashv'l's lost so much of what might have been dubbed as Second Empire thematic, that that aspect has become "lost in translation."  A number of the old residential structures east and west of the state house (capitol) could have fit that descriptively Baroque style, and I even recall having witnessed some of them with slated Mansard roofs (5th Ave. near site of Cordell Hull, the site of which previously had stood similar buildings; on the old grid between 7th and 8th, and Cedar and Jo Johnston (before the Jas. Rob. urban removal).  The fact is that many more pockets of such structures had existed right after my birth, although admittedly I happen to be one of the few active ones remaining here to be on the cusp of then and now (although I might act as if I have yet to grow up)

I'm just saying that that epic of architectural style, which during my early lifetime had remained significantly extant, virtually and almost abruptly (during a span of 30 years of less) had become all but extinct.  Perhaps then for that reason, a new breed of Second Empire Revival would be more of an anachronism than an eclectic blend for the CBD, while we leave other ancient and varied styles of structures intact (Customs House, Union Station,...)  Of course, the state house (Capitol) would have to be tornado'd or quaked down, since it is so venerated as "capitAl."

-==-

 

Edited July 23, 2015 by rookzie

[Vrtigo]

I feel like there are several "Second Empire-esque" homes and structures around East Nashville...particularly the Edgefield area. At least we haven't lost them all.

Can anyone provide examples of a recently built structure that mimics this style? There are plenty of examples of original structures to be found around online, but I'm curious to see what a modern take on that aesthetic would look like.

[smeagolsfree]

So....what you're saying is they need to scrap the courthouse design and build a 20 story Greek Revival structure that will suit Nashville's needs.

if that was directed at me, not at all . I was just stating what I had understood to be the case. I want the old courthouse to remain as it is a nice building and the last thing we need to do is continue to tear down buildings because they are old. I have seen enough of that to turn my stomach. 

[UTgrad09]

if that was directed at me, not at all . I was just stating what I had understood to be the case. I want the old courthouse to remain as it is a nice building and the last thing we need to do is continue to tear down buildings because they are old. I have seen enough of that to turn my stomach. 

No, I meant scrap the new design, not tear down the old building (but renovate it). The new courthouse should be 20 stories.

[smeagolsfree]

Gotcha and agree fully.

[titanhog]

So...instead of building a new space large enough to fit their needs, they'll build a portion of what they need and keep the old building.  Then...in 30 years, they'll outgrow those two places and build a 3rd, yet still keep the other 2.  In 100 years, we'll have 5-6 federal buildings instead of just 1 large enough to do the job.

Sounds about right for the federal government.

[Paramount747]

Tony is building 505 CST at a published cost of $150,000,000.00.  How is a 45 story 547 foot tall tower LESS expensive than a 7 story federal courthouse at $181,500,000.00?

Edited July 23, 2015 by Paramount747

[Nathan_in_DC]

Tony is building 505 CST at a published cost of $150,000,000.00.  How is a 45 story 547 foot tall tower LESS expensive than a 7 story federal courthouse at $181,500,000.00?

Wait...the you're saying a private enterprise is building a building twice the size of one funded by the Federal Government but over $30 million cheaper? That's gotta be the first time THAT has happened! 

#sarcasm

[smeagolsfree]

Its those 30,000 thousand dollar toilet seats.

[MidTenn1]

Tony is building 505 CST at a published cost of $150,000,000.00.  How is a 45 story 547 foot tall tower LESS expensive than a 7 story federal courthouse at $181,500,000.00?

Part of the reason for the high expense is related to the need for safety and security. The walls on the lower floors are very thick and blast proof and have less glass. The entrance is 'ornamental' in design and separated from the rest of the building for security reasons. The upper floors are sized and outfitted for courtrooms which require extra height and their own type of security. And courtrooms, Judges chambers, jury rooms etc are going to be decorated to a high level.

Also,the latest renderings display a complex and detailed facade which will require special construction measures to build.

I don't doubt there are some extraneous, unnecessary embellishments within the structure, but a building of this purpose is going to start out with a high price tag before the first set of plans are prepared.

[MLBrumby]

Ugh!  I think this building gets uglier each time I look at a rendering....  From NBJ:  http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/print-edition/2015/07/31/courthouse-ready-for-its-verdict.html