New courthouse really taking shape

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo's towering new federal courthouse is really taking shape over the downtown skyline.

It's a contemporary design in historic Niagara Square. From atop City Hall, workers can be seen constructing the uniquely angled roof on the new federal courthouse.

United States District Court Judge William Skretny says when it's complete, it will be a building Buffalo can be proud of, "What we now have is something that is going to be the most advanced designed building in western New York."

The $137 million project consists of a ten story structure standing 248 feet tall. The elevator tower extends higher than the actual building.

A smaller slanted building in front is the entrance pavillion. The beige cement exterior will be covered by glass. Judge Skretny said, "What makes it really exciting is that the building will then be transformed essentially into a glass building, number one. And number two is that the installation process of that glass curtain wall is the first of it's kind in the world."

The glass will create quite a scene at night.

Judge Skretny said, "The lighting will transform the building into a glowing embered lantern."

The new courthouse will have the technology and security the current courthouse lacks.

Right now defendants, law enforcement, judges and civilians intermingle. The new courthouse will have dedicated traffic patterns.

Judge Skretny said, "Everybody that should be separated will be separate, but yet the building will be open. It will be transparent. It will be very user and individual friendly."

There is still a lot of work to be done. The federal courthouse isn't expected to open until the fall or winter of 2010.