Mobile Government Plaza


Samuel L. Jones Government Plaza, also known as the City-County Administration Building or simply Government Plaza, is a high-rise in the U.S. city of Mobile, Alabama. Completed in 1994 at a cost of US $73 million, the building rises and 12 stories at its highest point. The roof of the building is the site of two twin architectural spires that are included in the tower's overall structural height. Government Plaza is tied with the Mobile Marriott as the 4th-tallest building in Mobile and the 10th-tallest in Alabama. It also stands as the tallest government building in the state.

Design

Government Plaza was designed by Harry Goleman and Mario Bolullo of Houston, in cooperation with Mobile architect Frederick C. Woods. Their design was selected from among 195 entries in a national competition sponsored by the American Institute of Architects. The facility comprises a 12-story administration tower and a 9-story judicial tower, connected by a massive glass-enclosed atrium. It was the first government structure in the United States to combine county and municipal governments and the court system in one space. Designed to evoke a nautical feel appropriate to Mobile's status as a seaport, the building is an example of Post-Modernist style architecture.

Renaming

On October 29, 2013, the Mobile City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution renaming the building the Samuel L. Jones Government Plaza in honor of the outgoing mayor. This resolution was passed during the last City Council meeting over which Mayor Sam Jones presided.