Mobile Government Plaza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Government Plaza |
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | City Hall, Government, Office |
| Architectural style | Postmodern |
| Location | 205 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama |
| Coordinates | 30°41′21.65″N 88°2′32.49″W / 30.6893472°N 88.0423583°W |
| Named for | Samuel L. Jones |
| Completed | 1994 |
| Opening | 1994 |
| Renovated | 2014 |
| Cost | $73 million |
| Renovation cost | $3.5 million |
| Owner | Mobile County |
| Height | |
| Roof | 325 feet (99 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 12 |
| Lifts/elevators | 4 (judicial tower) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Frederick C. Woods & Associates, Golemon & Rolfe Associates |
| Developer | City of Mobile |
Samuel L. Jones Government Plaza, also known as the City-County Administration Building or simply Government Plaza, is a high-rise in the U.S. city of Mobile, Alabama. Completed in 1994 at a cost of US $73 million, the building rises 325 feet (99 m) and 12 stories at its highest point. The roof of the building is the site of two twin architectural spires that are included in the tower's overall structural height. 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.
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. It was the first government structure in the United States to combine county and municipal governments and the court system in one space. Designed to evoke a nautical feel appropriate to Mobile's status as a seaport, the building is an example of postmodernist style architecture.
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.
Atrium repairs
The atrium roof's initial 1994 design and construction, especially the skylight, led to leaks during heavy rain. A fix was attempted in 2004 but failed. In August 2013, after worsening leaks, a $3.2 million contract was awarded to replace the roof; these repairs made to the atrium – completed in 2014 – 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
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.
