Minutes
September 17, 2015 Meeting
The Rotary Club of Mobile
Call to order: The meeting was called to order by club president Robby McClure at 12:15PM.
Moment of Silence: A moment of silence was held to remember past president John Aduston Rogers, IV who passed away on Monday, September 14, 2015.
Invocation was given by Gordon Korb who also led the club in song accompanied by Les Greer. Tom Martenstein welcomed members’ guests and visiting Rotarians.
New members:
• Jan Endfinger, Director of Human Resources and Advertising at Autry Greer & Sons was introduced by Les Greer.
• George Talbot, Director of Communications and External Affairs for the Stimpson administration was introduced by Cart Blackwell.
Announcements:
• Patrick McWilliams recognized Jeff Zoghby as this month’s Touchpoints winner.
• Robby McClure reminded the group that the new rosters with an “Infirmary blue” cover are here and should be picked up, and asked members to RSVP their attendance for the Gala which will take place on Thursday, October 1 at Gulfquest maritime Museum.
Program: Mobile’s Newest Federal Courthouse
Jeremy Milling introduced Amy Rice who is the Architect-Project Manager for Mobile’s new U.S. District Courthouse to be built on St. Joseph Street, a block north of the 1935 Campbell Courthouse.
Using a power point program, Ms. Rice showed views of the planned exterior of the building which is traditional in scale and complimentary of the older structure to the south. She said that as part of the design process, Cart Blackwell had arranged for the out of town architects and planners to tour historic districts as well as see photographs of area buildings to get an idea of the regional flavor of the city and its architecture.
The site will protect mature existing live oak trees and allow for green space surrounding the building for the planting of more oaks, she said. The four sides of the new structure will be covered in Alabama limestone from the same quarry which provided the stone for the Campbell Courthouse in 1935. The site will also allow for future expansion, if needed she added.
Interior views revealed a handsome two story lobby with large columns which she described as “open and inviting” with necessary security devices placed discreetly out of the main axis. The judges and court personnel will be actively involved in the design of the courtrooms with plywood “mock-ups” built to guarantee the efficiency of the final design.
The historic Campbell Courthouse to the south will be restored with its exterior cleaned, double paned windows replicating the originals, and interior fixtures mimicking the originals. Accessibility issues will be handled as well. When complete, this building will once again house bankruptcy courtrooms and U.S. Marshall offices which have both been housed elsewhere, she said.
Ms. Rice then provided images of other projects she has been involved with, including an Hawaiian federal courthouse, a golf club and numerous beachside developments there. After answering a number of questions, the meeting adjourned at 1:05 P.M.
Tom McGehee