ville's Courthouse illness studies may come too late

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http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/022302/met_8702659.html

Saturday, February 23, 2002

Courthouse illness studies may come too late

New building opens in October

By Jim Schoettler

Times-Union staff writer

By the time government officials finish their study of a study of another

study of air quality problems at ville's federal courthouse, some

employees are convinced they'll be moving to a new facility and it won't

matter.

Courthouse employees and their landlord, the U.S. General Services

Administration, yesterday discussed a health expert's report of excessive

mold and mildew in the building and associated health problems.

GSA officials left promising a " spring cleaning " to begin at an undetermined

date; temporary housing for employees worried about that cleaning, though

the housing hasn't been set aside; and a promise that a team of government

health experts will get to the bottom of problems they can confirm.

An initial health study, ordered by the court, was finished last summer. A

government report finished in December said more study was needed. That

review hasn't been scheduled.

Meanwhile, a new courthouse is scheduled to be opened in October across the

street. The 68-year-old courthouse is expected to be turned over to the

city, which plans to use it as part of a new county courthouse complex.

Several of the nearly 200 employees who work at the East Monroe Street

courthouse have complained about suffering from asthma and other health

issues they attribute to the air quality. Judges are also warning potential

jurors of possible health risks they face in trials longer than two weeks

and will excuse anyone who wants out.

One impact of the problem has been a decision by U.S. District Judge Henry

Lee Jr. to move the murder trial of ex-cop Karl Waldon to Tampa, which

will cost thousands of dollars in travel costs. said he is concerned

that jurors' attention would be drawn away from the trial if they worry

about getting ill.

District Judge Ralph Nimmons Jr. questioned the pace of finding a solution

to the air quality issues.

" I'm concerned that there may not be an adequate resolution of the air

quality in this building prior or close to the time of the scheduled move, "

Nimmons said. " I'm also concerned about the jurors and what we can tell

them. "

Debord, an environmental protection specialist with GSA, said steps

are being taken to clean the building.

" Our building managers will continue to operate this building at a much

higher level of cleanliness than the other commercial buildings in the

area, " Debord said.

Staff writer Jim Schoettler can be reached at (904) 359-4385 or via e-mail

at jschoettler@....