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The City of La Porte is excited about the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Municipal Court building that will better serve the public! The opening ceremony, scheduled for Friday, August 7, at 9am, will include comments from local and county government officials, with Mayor Barry Beasley as Master of Ceremonies and Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia as the keynote speaker. The public is invited to participate and enjoy the open house and refreshments. The Grand Opening will be at the new courthouse location at 3005 North 23rd Street @ Spencer Highway.
The Municipal Court was previously located at 913 South 8th Street, a warehouse constructed in 1976 that was renovated to accommodate the Municipal Court in 1993. Prior to that time the Court operated out of Council Chambers at City Hall. The new Municipal Court is approximately 11,000 square feet and contains ample room for Court staff and customer expansion well into the future. In times of emergency, the new Municipal Court building will also serve as an additional Emergency Operations Center as it was designed and built to withstand a major hurricane. The new Court building was designed by Randy Hickey with Huitt-Zollars, Inc. Architect firm and constructed by Turner Construction Company. The new Court building contains many environmentally friendly, economically sound and energy saving features. Some of these sustainable practices are:
- The high Solar Reflectance Index value of the roof material exceeds LEED standards.
- The paint used on the surface of the building exterior significantly increases the reflection of the sun's radiation dramatically reducing the heat island effect for both the Court and the adjoining Police Department. This will lower both buildings’ monthly electrical consumption because of reduced solar heat absorption.
- The double pane, tinted glass used has a level 5 missile projectile rating and one of the lowest Solar Heat Gain Coefficients on the market. This will dramatically reduce energy consumption and pollution sources, improve comfort, and minimize condensation.
- The landscaping incorporates a variety of native or indigenous plants that are more drought tolerant thereby reducing the Court’s water consumption.
- Reduced water consumption is also in place inside the new Court through the utilization of dual flush toilets, which can implement a 30% water savings over traditional toilets.
- Post-consumer recycled glass tile was used in the employee bathrooms. Post-consumer recycled materials were also used in the carpet and the furniture upholstery. These post-consumer recycled products diverted waste materials from landfills.
- The use of motion sensors to minimize unnecessary light and energy usage.
- Reflective indirect lighting that will significantly reduce energy use. The most dramatic example of this innovative lighting is in the "cloud" suspended from the courtroom ceiling.
- Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints and adhesives were used throughout the interior of the Court resulting in less off gassing and a healthier indoor air quality for all building employees and visitors.
The new Municipal Court building serves as a model for our community that municipal growth can proceed in a way that promotes energy efficiency and delivers a cleaner environment.
For additional information about the Open House, please contact Martha Gillette, City of La Porte Public Information Officer, at 281-471-5020.
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