Construction expected to be completed this fall
The Sarasota County South County Courthouse project has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Silver certification, county staff announced this week.
The project includes “the construction of a new two-story courthouse, a new parking area and stormwater improvements” on the campus of the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, which stands at 4000 S. Tamiami Trail in Venice, a news release points out. “The installation of rooftop solar panels, LED lighting and other management systems were included in the project, which began in the fall of 2023” and is expected to be wrapped up this fall, the release adds.
The September update on the South County Courthouse initiative, produced by the county’s Capital Projects Department, says the work is “approximately 95% complete.”
The U.S. Green Building Council says, “LEED is the most widely recognized green building rating system in the world. LEED certification offers a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-effective green buildings, providing environmental and social benefits. It serves as a globally recognized symbol of sustainability leadership, supported by a committed community of organizations and individuals driving market transformation,” as the release notes.
The Capital Projects September update explains, “The project includes construction of a new, 2-story, 4-court, courthouse to serve the Clerk of Courts and Court Administration. … The relocation of court functions from the RLA [Robert L. Anderson] building to the new Courthouse building will allow for much needed improvements to … infrastructure and the reallocation of space within the existing RLA buildings. This reallocation of space will allow for growth” in court-related services, including those involving the 12th Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s and Public Defender’s offices, as well as non-court services, such as those provided by the offices of the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector, Veterans Services, Public Utilities Department, Planning and Development Services Department, and the Health Department.
“Special commendations go to the design consultant, DLR Group, Inc., as well as the construction manager, Halfacre Construction, for their assistance in making this achievement possible,” the release said.
For information regarding this project and many others, visit scgov.net/government/capital-projects.