Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse |
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Federal Courthouse, in Buffalo, NY
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Courthouse |
| Architectural style | Contemporary modern |
| Location | 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°53′15″N 78°52′42″W / 42.8875°N 78.8784°W |
| Construction started | October 2007 |
| Topped-out | 2010 |
| Completed | November 2011 |
| Inaugurated | May 4, 2012 |
| Cost | US$ 137 million |
| Height | |
| Tip | 255 ft (77.72 m) |
| Roof | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 10 |
| Floor area | 284,000 sq ft (26,400 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Kohn Pedersen Fox |
| Developer | US General Services Administration (GSA) |
| Structural engineer | Weidlinger Associates |
| Main contractor | Mascaro Construction Company LLP Construction Manager: Cannon Design Construction Management Division |
The Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse is an important building in Buffalo, New York. It is a place where federal (national) court cases happen. The building is located on Delaware Avenue at Niagara Square. It is right across from the Statler Towers and next to Buffalo City Hall.
This courthouse has some cool features. It has secure indoor parking for cars. The main entrance is a glass room with all 4,536 words of the U.S. Constitution etched into the glass! The very top of the building has a glass part that looks like a glowing lantern when it's lit up at night.
Contents
Building the Courthouse
Replacing Old Buildings
Before this courthouse was built, there were other buildings on the site. The most well-known was the Erlanger theater, built in 1927. The old buildings were removed to make space for the new courthouse.
Construction Details
The construction of the courthouse faced some delays. It was supposed to open in July 2010. However, there were problems with the glass walls and moisture inside the building. Federal officials finally opened the courthouse in November 2011.
When it was finished, this building was the most expensive government building ever built in the Western New York area. It took the place of the Michael J. Dillon Courthouse as Buffalo's main federal courthouse.
What's Inside
Today, the Robert H. Jackson Courthouse is home to several important government offices. These include:
- The U.S. District Court
- The Court of Appeals
- U.S. Probation
- U.S. Marshals
- U.S. Attorney
- The General Services Administration (GSA)
Green Building Design
The building was designed to be very environmentally friendly. It earned a LEED-NC Gold certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This means the building was built using methods that save energy and protect the environment.
Art and Awards
The lobby of the courthouse has large, colorful glass panels. These were designed by Robert Mangold, an artist from the Buffalo area. He is known for his geometric art. The building also won an award in 2011 for its design and how it was made.
Naming the Courthouse
Honoring Robert H. Jackson
In December 2011, Congressman Brian Higgins suggested naming the courthouse after Robert H. Jackson. Robert H. Jackson was a very important person from Western New York. He was the only person from that area to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. A Supreme Court Justice is one of the highest judges in the United States.
Becoming Law
The idea to name the courthouse after him became a bill in Congress. This bill, called H.R.3556, was voted on and approved on July 23, 2012. It officially became a law on October 5, 2012. The name "Jackson Courthouse" was officially shown on the building at a special ceremony on September 30, 2013.
Gallery
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Clearing the site, 2008
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Project Information Sign
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View from Niagara Square
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Glass pavilion in front of the building
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The courthouse from the street
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A closer look at the building's design
