Steel will soon be rising at the new federal courthouse on Niagara Square. With foundation work complete, general contractor Mascaro Construction is about to begin installing the steel framework. Construction on the $123 million, 10-story glass structure began last October and should be completed by mid-2010 under current plans.
New York City-based Kohn Pederson Fox Architects designed the 268,000 sq.ft. building. The firm also designed M&T Center at Fountain Plaza (former Goldome) and the new Buffalo Niagara International Airport terminal.
A Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Rating is anticipated for the courthouse. The building will provide the courts with nine new courtrooms and 11 chambers, as well as 54 enclosed parking spaces. An integrated art installation by North Tonawanda-born artist Robert Mangold is planned for the glass entry pavilion.
The giant lattice-boom hydraulic crane has a lifting capacity of 275-tons and can reach to 400 feet. Steel work is expected to take four months.
Photos by Aaron Zimmerman