The Queens Family Court and City Agency Facility is a brick and glass building, four stories high, with a set back fifth story. The design completes the wall of residential and small institutional structures that surround historic Rufus King Park in downtown Jamaica, simultaneously maintaining a civic presence commensurate with the building's use. The building has two wings, joined by a one-story entrance pavilion, which includes dual stainless steel clad entrances, skylights across the roof, and state-of-the-art security systems. The 100,000-SF city agency “wing” curves into the site, creating by this gesture an outdoor arrival court while providing generous amounts of natural light to the offices housed within.

The 175,000-SF courthouse “wing”, disposed as a square, produces the most effective relationship between the courts and their supporting functions. As a building type, family court is notable for its high volume of daily visitors and for the stressful nature of the cases heard. Clarity of circulation and the quality of waiting areas are extremely important. A 40' x 40' central atrium containing an escalator and commissioned artwork organizes the whole, connecting on each floor to waiting areas that look out to the park or distant vistas with an original suspended artwork by renowned artist Ursula van Rydingsgard. This reversal of the introverted layout of the traditional courthouse helps connect the waiting public to the social and physical fabric of the world outside. The courtrooms themselves are intimate in scale and have large windows to admit natural light. The goal throughout is to provide a humane environment infused with a sense of stability and permanence.

Major components of the project included 24 criminal/civil courtrooms, hearing rooms, attorney and adoptions conference rooms, waiting areas, judges' chambers, and detention facilities and holding areas for juveniles and adults. The structure also includes a 2,700-SF, one-story entrance pavilion 200-plus car parking garage, childcare center, and courts support spaces.

Our bonding company requested that Pavarini McGovern complete the general construction contract for this Wick’s Law project after the initial contractor left the job. The project's completion was a serious challenge, requiring the re-procurement of terminated contracts. These contracts included curtainwall, carpentry, drywall, terrazzo, fireproofing, ornamental metal and glass, site work and numerous smaller packages. The project team redeveloped construction activities, schedules, sequencing, and coordination to progress the balance of the work expeditiously. Invoicing and payments were restructured and balanced. The team also revised submittals, directives and other documentation.