The sweet smell of justice

Problems are still being worked out at the newly renovated Juvenile Justice Center downtown — including a broken pipe that meant the scent of raw sewage frequently wafted through the building. And you thought it was the lawyers giving off that smell!

A city sewer line on Caroline Street on the east side of the building had fallen apart, meaning the smell of sewage hit people entering and leaving the courthouse, and raw sewage sometimes backed up into the building. "Once you had 200 kids flushing toilets, it backed up, and it backed up rather quickly," county construction manager Rich Elwood said. "I know the smell was very disruptive."

The sewage wasn't the only problem with the early 1950s building, which the county renovated to the tune of $58 million. In courtrooms, judges say they're having trouble hearing lawyers and witnesses because the doors make a lot of noise when they're opened and closed. Elwood said new doors will be installed if they meet the fire code. Judges were also concerned over a back door to the building that was unlocked and unguarded, which Elwood said was the result of miscommunication because construction workers were still coming and going through the door. He said it was secured Monday.

Of course, the biggest problem still hasn't been addressed: The enormous glass lobby and overhanging canopy at the building's new entrance on Congress Avenue make the courthouse look just like a hospital. County officials, when ambulances start pulling up, don't say we didn't warn you!