Tuscaloosa federal building
The Tuscaloosa federal building is a $67 million building for the United States District Court, United States Bankruptcy Court and the Social Security Administration offices in downtown Tuscaloosa. The building is the centerpiece of a $108 million redevelopment of a 5-block area of the city first proposed by U. S. Senator Richard Shelby around 2000.
The building's classical Greek Revival design was created by the Chicago firm of Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge. The General Services Administration originally awarded the commission to another Chicago architect, Carol Ross Barney, but Shelby objected to her modernist style. The approved design features a 6-column Doric pediment at the entrance and deeply-recessed windows all around. The architects drew from various landmark buildings in Tuscaloosa, including the University of Alabama president's mansion and the former Tuscaloosa state capitol.
Chicago-based artist Caleb O'Connor was selected by a project panel to execute 16 large-scale painted murals for the building's lobby. The 14-foot by 9-foot panels will depict Tuscaloosa's history and culture in a chronological scheme.
Construction was jointly managed by BE&K and Harrison Construction. The completed building was dedicated on December 19, 2011.
Former federal building
A former federal building and U. S. courthouse in Tuscaloosa, at 1118 Greensboro Avenue, is being replaced by the building being constructed.
References
- Ray, Doug (June 14, 2009) "Federal building on a fast track." Tuscaloosa News
- Cobb, Mark Hughes (June 14, 2009) "16 commissioned murals will depict city’s culture, history." Tuscaloosa News