Metropolitan Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Metropolitan Courthouse |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Office |
| Location | 401 Lomas Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 35°5′30″N 106°39′04″W / 35.09167°N 106.65111°W |
| Construction started | 2001 |
| Completed | 2003 |
| Cost | $83 million |
| Height | |
| Roof | 53.3 m (175 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 9 |
| Floor area | 244,000 sq ft |
| Lifts/elevators | 10 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | DCSW Architects |
| Main contractor | Bradbury Stamm Construction |
The Metropolitan Courthouse is an important building in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is a courthouse, which is a place where legal cases are heard and decided. This building is home to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
You can find the courthouse on the northwest corner of 4th Street and Lomas Boulevard. This area is known as the Courthouse District because many legal buildings are located there. The building is quite tall, rising about 53 meters (175 feet) into the sky, and it has nine stories.
Design and Features of the Courthouse
The Metropolitan Courthouse was designed by a company called DCSW Architects. They gave it a modern look with a touch of Art Deco style. Art Deco is a cool design style from the 1920s and 1930s, known for its geometric shapes and fancy decorations.
Inside, the courthouse has a special three-story area called a rotunda. A rotunda is a round room, often with a dome-shaped ceiling. This one is decorated with beautiful materials like granite, marble, and travertine. You'll also see a large sculpture of the scales of justice, which is about 11 meters (36 feet) tall. The scales of justice are a symbol of fairness and balance in the law.
Building the Metropolitan Courthouse
Work on the Metropolitan Courthouse began in May 2001. This is when the "ground was broken," meaning the first digging started. The main structure of the building was finished, or "topped out," in June of the next year.
The courthouse officially opened its doors for business on January 20, 2004. It took the place of an older Metro Courthouse that was located at 4th and Roma.
A Look at the Courthouse's History
From 2005 to 2009, there was a situation involving the courthouse construction project. Some people were accused of misusing money that was meant for the building. This led to a big investigation.
Several people were involved in this situation, including some who had important roles in the government, like a former leader in the New Mexico State Senate and a former mayor of Albuquerque. The investigation helped to make sure that rules were followed and that public money was used correctly.
