From Senator 's Office people with sick building syndrome

[Guest guest]

My mom sent me this from Senator office, Florida about moldy

courthouse and people with sick building syndrome.

Senator doesn't want taxpayers stuck with tab for courthouse fix

February 13, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A U.S. senator today demanded the government hold

contractors accountable if shoddy construction is found to be behind

continuing problems at the high-rise federal courthouse in downtown

Tampa.

The General Services Administration ( GSA ) is conducting an expected

four-month inspection of the $65-million courthouse aimed at

identifying fixes for what it terms " a multitude of issues. " The GSA

has told 's office it expects the work to take two years.

Although the Sam M. Gibbons Federal Courthouse is only a decade old,

the massive 363,000 square-foot office building on North Florida

Avenue has had its share of troubles. Two years ago, the St.

sburg Times reported that windows on the top two floors of the

building had to be reinstalled at a cost of $1 million due to leaking.

Six years ago, an environmental report found employees working there

were three times more likely to have adult onset asthma and other

respiratory illnesses than other federal courthouse employees within

the state. Courthouse employees reported nearly five times as many

cases of " sick building syndrome " - an illness characterized by

headaches, dizziness, runny nose and itchy eyes.

The 17-story building was plagued by mold, a leaky roof and diesel

fumes; all of which lead to poor air quality. An environmental

assessment report on the problems was filed with the Administrative

Office of the United States Courts in 2001. But by 2005, the GSA

reported such complaints had subsided.

The GSA began an inspection approximately one month ago. Among other

things, water tests in windows on the 12th floor led to leaks six

floors below, according to a staffer whose office is in the

building.

" I want to know if there was shoddy workmanship by any of the

contractors, and what's going to be done about it, " said in

his letter to the GSA today.

Construction began on the new courthouse in 1995 and was finished in

1997. The postmodern structure is made of glass and limestone.

While the building has just 17 stories, it is as tall as a typical 35-

story building.

The building is named for Gibbons, a native of Tampa who served 34

years in Congress. Its 17 stories are symbolic of the 17 consecutive

terms Gibbons served in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Below is 's letter to the GSA

February 13, 2008

Hon. Lurita is Doan

Administrator

U.S. General Services Administration

Office of the Administrator

1800 F Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20405

Dear Ms. Doan:

I write to express my concerns regarding the Sam M. Gibbons Federal

Courthouse in Tampa. Throughout its ten-year history, the building

has had numerous problems. Now my staff informs me the GSA is

conducting a four-month inspection to identify various defects.

While I obviously support the expeditious repair of the building to

completely eliminate any identified public health risks, it would be

manifestly unfair to burden the taxpayers with the responsibility of

paying for these repairs - if the courthouse's problems were caused

by the faulty construction or defective design of the building.

I ask that you provide me with updated information on the ongoing

inspection at the Gibbons Courthouse in Tampa and how GSA intends to

pay for needed repairs.

I want to know if there was shoddy workmanship by any of the

contractors, and what is going to be done about it.

Finally, I would note that the Gibbons Courthouse is not the only

problematic federal building in Florida. I also request the same

information on Miami's Dyer Courthouse.

Sincerely,

Bill