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 325ft 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.DesignGovernment 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 581000sqft facility comprises a 12-story administration tower and a 9-story judicial tower, connected by a massive 50000sqft 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.Since the building opened, the building's roof has had a history of leaking, especially when the area is hit with heavy rains. Trash cans cordoned off with yellow caution tape are not an uncommon sight in the building's lobby. The building's roof was updated in 2013.