Florida Construction News staff writer

Skanska has placed the final piece of structural steel atop the $59 million courthouse for the Second District Court of Appeal in St. Petersburg, representing the project’s topping out.

“Our team is incredibly proud to build this landmark courthouse strategically positioned to better serve the community,” said Tracy Hunt, executive vice president and general manager for Skanska’s Florida building operations. “For years we’ve had the great pleasure of constructing vital projects throughout the greater Tampa Bay region and we’re honored to continue that legacy with the addition of the Second District Court of Appeal’s courthouse in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg.”Designed by architecture firms DLR Group, the architect of record, and Wannemacher Jensen Architects, the associate architect — the 51,708-square-foot steel and architectural precast project includes 15 judicial chambers on two separate levels, ceremonial courtroom and lobby, and three floors of office space for judicial personnel and Clerk of Court services.Construction also includes an additional 7,800-square-foot central energy plant and secured ground floor parking. The project is also seeking LEED® certification upon completion.

Skanska has delivered past projects in the Greater Tampa Bay area such as the recent renovation and expansion of the Tampa Convention Center, and the construction of Coachman Park in Downtown Clearwater, the construction of the University of South Florida Health’s Morsani College of Medicine & Heart Institute at Water Street Tampa and the construction of the St. Petersburg Pier, Pier Approach and Gateway.